title: A comparison of two cyclosporine dosage regimens for the treatment of severe psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few reports have been issued which compare the efficacy and tolerability of cyclosporine dose adjustments before 12 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and tolerability of two different dosage regimens of cyclosporine in severe psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This 12-week, prospective, open-label study included 61 severe psoriasis patients. Patients were assigned to a 2.5 mg/kg per day starting dose and an increasing regimen ('standard regimen') or a 5.0 mg/kg per day starting dose and a decreasing regimen ('step-down regimen') group. The end point included 50% and 75% reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. Adverse events were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to a 50% PASI reduction (PASI 50), the response rate at 12 weeks was similar for two groups. The percentage of patients achieving a 75% PASI reduction (PASI 75) at 12 weeks was higher in the step-down regimen group. The mean time to PASI 50 or PASI 75 was shorter in the step-down regimen group. No difference was found between the two groups in terms of the number of patients with adverse events requiring intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the 'step-down' cyclosporine regimen offers an effective and safe therapeutic option for the management of severe psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jai Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Youn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine