Topical calcipotriol plus oral fumaric acid is more effective and faster acting than oral fumaric acid monotherapy in the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis vulgaris.

Author(s): Gollnick H, Altmeyer P, Kaufmann R, Ring J, Christophers E, Pavel S, Ziegler J

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany. harald.gollnick@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de

Publication date & source: 2002, Dermatology., 205(1):46-53.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Calcipotriol is an established topical therapy for psoriasis vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the addition of calcipotriol to fumaric acid ester (FAE) monotherapy had an additive efficacy and an FAE-sparing effect in patients with severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study included 143 patients for up to 13 weeks treatment. Group A received FAE tablets (Fumaderm) with an increasing daily dosage from 105 to 1,075 mg + ointment vehicle. Group B received FAE tablets + calcipotriol ointment (50 microg/g). Ointments were applied twice daily. Clinical response was assessed using percentage changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), from baseline to treatment end. RESULTS: The mean percentage change in the PASI was -76.1% in group B and -51.9% in group A, the difference between treatments was -24.2% (95% CI from -34.2 to -14.2%; p < 0.001). Group B responded more rapidly to treatment. Investigators' and patients' overall efficacy assessments were significantly more favourable for group B (p < or = 0.001). Group B was prescribed less FAE than group A. This difference was greatest at the last visit (mean daily dose 529 and 685 mg, respectively; p = 0.006). Overall adverse events in the two groups were similar. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the combination of calcipotriol and FAEs is significantly more effective and faster acting than FAE monotherapy in the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis. The combination has a slight FEA-sparing effect and therefore a superior benefit/risk ratio. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel