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Efficacy and safety of fumaric acid esters in combination with phototherapy in patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis (FAST)
Author(s) -
Weisenseel Peter,
Reich Kristian,
Griemberg Wiebke,
Merten Katharina,
Gröschel Christine,
Gomez Natalie Nunez,
Taipale Kirsi,
Bräu Beate,
Zschocke Ina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
jddg: journal der deutschen dermatologischen gesellschaft
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1610-0387
pISSN - 1610-0379
DOI - 10.1111/ddg.12837
Subject(s) - medicine , psoriasis , combination therapy , adverse effect , regimen , retrospective cohort study , dermatology
Summary 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.