1. Impact of Body Mass Index and Obesity on Clinical Response to Systemic Treatment for Psoriasis
- Author
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Rosanna Cuscito, Liliane Chatenoud, Luigi Naldi, Mauro Picardo, Mara Maccarone, Carlo Tomino, Eugenia Caggese, Paola Bertuccio, Sergio Chimenti, Alberto Giannetti, and Antonio Addis
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Systemic therapy ,business.industry ,Epidemiology ,Body mass index ,psoriasis ,Prognosis ,Dermatology ,medicine.disease ,Obesity ,Surgery ,Quality of life ,Internal medicine ,Psoriasis ,Cohort ,Severity of illness ,medicine ,business ,Cohort study - Abstract
Objective: Our aim was to assess the role of the body mass index (BMI) in the clinical response to systemic treatment for psoriasis. Methods: A nationwide cohort study of patients receiving a new systemic treatment for plaque psoriasis at reference centres in Italy was conducted. Information was gathered through a web-based electronic form. Patients being maintained on the same medication and with data available at 8 and 16 weeks by March 31, 2007, were eligible. The outcome was a reduction in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) of at least 75% at follow-up compared to baseline (PASI-75). Results: Out of 8,072 patients enrolled, 2,368 were eligible and analysable at 8 weeks and 2,042 at 16 weeks. PASI-75 was achieved by 819 patients (34.5%) at 8 weeks and 1,034 (50.6%) at 16 weeks. The proportion steadily decreased with increased values of BMI. Compared to normal weight (BMI = 20–24) the adjusted odds ratio for achieving PASI-75 in obese patients was 0.73 (95% CI = 0.58–0.93) at 8 weeks and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.49–0.79) at 16 weeks. The impact of the BMI did not show remarkable variations according to the drug prescribed at entry. Conclusion: The BMI affects the early clinical response to systemic treatment for psoriasis.
- Published
- 2008