title: Efficacy and safety of fumaric acid esters in patients with psoriasis on medication for comorbid conditions - a retrospective evaluation (FACTS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Safety and efficacy of fumaric acid esters (FAE) in patients with psoriasis requiring treated comorbidit condition were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected from 7 dermatology centers were used for a retrospective analysis of patients treated continuously with FAE for at least 6 weeks who required at least one medication for a comorbid condition. The records were analyzed at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of therapy. Safety parameters were monitored and the severity of skin symptoms was assessed by 'Physician's Global Assessment' (PGA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 69 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and a mean duration of 27.4 months of continuous treatment were included in the study. In less than 5% were interactions between FAE and co-medications observed. Changes of hepatic, renal or hematological laboratory parameters were usually insignificant and required a modification of FAE treatment in less than 12% of the cases. The percentage of patients documented as markedly improved or clear was 61% after 6 months, 77% after 12 months, and 75% after 24 months of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with moderate to severe psoriasis on co-medications, FAE were effective and safe without any noteworthy drug interactions.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany. thaci@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors: Diamant
authors: D
authors: Thaçi
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Weisenseel
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Philipp
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Rosenbach
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Rotterdam
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Augustin
authors: Marcus
authors: M
authors: Neureither
authors: Kristian
authors: K
authors: Reich
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005650:Fumarates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005650:Fumarates