Cyclosporine in severe psoriasis: results of a meta-analysis in 579 patients
L Faerber, M Braeutigam, G Weidinger… - American journal of …, 2001 - Springer
L Faerber, M Braeutigam, G Weidinger, U Mrowietz, E Christophers, HJ Schulze, G Mahrle…
American journal of clinical dermatology, 2001•SpringerObjective A meta-analysis of 3 major German studies conducted between 1989 and 1994
with cyclosporine in severe psoriasis was performed to allow an integrated evaluation of the
efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine in this indication. Design and Setting All 3 studies
were prospective, randomized, parallel group studies. The studies were conducted in 61
dermatologic centers in Germany. Patients and Interventions The studies involved 597
patients with severe plaque type psoriasis. Treatment consisted of cyclosporine (at a dosage …
with cyclosporine in severe psoriasis was performed to allow an integrated evaluation of the
efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine in this indication. Design and Setting All 3 studies
were prospective, randomized, parallel group studies. The studies were conducted in 61
dermatologic centers in Germany. Patients and Interventions The studies involved 597
patients with severe plaque type psoriasis. Treatment consisted of cyclosporine (at a dosage …
Objective
A meta-analysis of 3 major German studies conducted between 1989 and 1994 with cyclosporine in severe psoriasis was performed to allow an integrated evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine in this indication.
Design and Setting
All 3 studies were prospective, randomized, parallel group studies. The studies were conducted in 61 dermatologic centers in Germany.
Patients and Interventions
The studies involved 597 patients with severe plaque type psoriasis. Treatment consisted of cyclosporine (at a dosage of 1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg/day), etretinate (at a mean daily dose of 0.53 mg/kg/day) or placebo in a total of 756 treatment cycles with a maximum duration of 12 weeks.
Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and
serum creatinine level.
Results
The meta-analysis revealed that cyclosporine given in a dosage of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg/day was significantly superior to etretinate. In addition cyclosporine 1.25 mg/kg/day proved to be significantly more effective than placebo. An increase in serum creatinine level that required intervention occurred in 3.4% of cyclosporine treatment cycles.
Conclusion
Cyclosporine is highly effective and well tolerated in the short term treatment of severe psoriasis.
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