title: Zidovudine improves psoriasis in human immunodeficiency virus-positive males.
abstract: METHODS
  Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can develop severe psoriasis, which is difficult to treat using conventional therapy. Anecdotal case reports have suggested that administration of zidovudine can improve psoriasis in the HIV-infected patient. An open-label study was conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of zidovudine therapy in 24 patients with HIV-associated psoriasis and to correlate response with laboratory and clinical variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 19 evaluable patients, 90% had either partial (58%) or complete (32%) improvement of their HIV-associated psoriasis during zidovudine therapy. Greater than 75% reduction in the body surface area involved was positively associated with antigenemia and an age younger than 30 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zidovudine therapy, at a dosage of 1200 mg/d, appears to be beneficial in the treatment of HIV-associated psoriasis, although long-term relapses occurred and the associated arthritis did not improve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duvic
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conant
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Reveille
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lehrman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001830:Body Surface Area; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015215:Zidovudine