Fumderm and phototherapy for psoriasis

[Fred]

This study looked at the use of phototherapy in combination with Fumaderm

Quote:

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Background:
While treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis using a combination of fumaric acid esters (FAE, Fumaderm®) and phototherapy (UV) is common practice, there have been hardly any studies investigating this regimen. Available information is limited to data from a small pilot study. The objective of the present study was to evaluate FAE/UV combination therapy in a larger patient cohort with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Patients and methods:
In this prospective noninterventional multicenter study, data from patients treated with FAE/UV combination therapy was assessed with regard to efficacy (PGA‚ PASI, DLQI, EQ-5D), safety, and dosage over a twelve-month period. The findings were subsequently compared to data from a previous retrospective study on FAE monotherapy.

Results:
Data from 363 patients was included in the analysis. Efficacy measures improved substantially on combination therapy. Compared to FAE monotherapy, FAE/UV therapy led to a faster clinical response, however, there was no difference in efficacy after 12 months. Neither the duration nor the type of phototherapy had an impact on efficacy. In general, combination therapy was well tolerated. Seven percent of patients experienced adverse events.

Conclusions:
FAE/UV combination therapy is effective and well tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Such treatment may induce a faster therapeutic response, and appears to be useful, particularly in the first three months of FAE therapy.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown

[jiml]

That's in line with my thinking on the subject, I have found the little bits of Psoriasis on my elbow and anywhere else that may appear during the winter, rapidly disappear when the weather changes and I can get out in the sun ....

It's nice to see a study albeit small that comes to the conclusion that FAE/UV treatment is beneficial, this along with an earlier study regarding the use of FAE/ calcipotriol being beneficial is in my opinion a good reason for dermatologists to offer combined treatments to achieve clearance of Psoriasis earlier than with a monotherapy

[Caroline]

There is too less information in the study, specifically on the blood values.
I am very concerned about what the personal research of Bill told us, and that is that much sunshine = higher level of Vit D, cause the lymphocytes to go down. I guess that the effect of UV, generating Vit D in the skin, may have the same effect.

[jiml]

There is too less information in the study, specifically on the blood values.
I am very concerned about what the personal research of Bill told us, and that is that much sunshine = higher level of Vit D, cause the lymphocytes to go down. I guess that the effect of UV, generating Vit D in the skin, may have the same effect.

Yes it would be good to know more information  I agree.. But what Bill has told us is just his own personal experience, and we are all different ..... this is a study of 363 patients. With only 7%  that's around 25 adverse effects which may include low blood count amongst the other known adverse effects

And the findings agree with my experience  

[Bill]

Lymphocytes are more sensitive to radiation than other tissue, aside from any potential for further sensitisation from dmf. It is unusual because it is normally fast dividing cells that are most affected. Combined therapy is good because of a faster response and the potential for taking a lower dosage, but there is the downside of psa not being controlled as well, as the uv wont get in the joints.

Cheers,

Bill