title: Lack of effect of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide on psoriasis in glucose-tolerant patients--a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been proposed that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists used for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes might also improve their psoriasis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1R agonist liraglutide in glucose-tolerant patients with plaque psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 obese (body mass index > 25 kg/m(2)), glucose-tolerant patients with plaque psoriasis (psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of at least 8) were randomized 1:1 to once-daily subcutaneous injections with liraglutide or placebo for an 8-week period. The primary end points were improvement in PASI and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Secondary end points included changes in weight and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, as well as adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 8 weeks of treatment, no significant change in PASI was found in the liraglutide group (mean±standard deviation: -2.6 ± 2.1) compared with the placebo group (-1.3 ± 2.4) (P = 0.228). No difference in DLQI was observed between the groups [-2.5 ± 4.4 (liraglutide) vs. -3.7 ± 4.8 (placebo); P = 0.564]. HsCRP did not change in any of the groups (0.26 ± 1 (placebo) vs. 0.25 ± 2.2 (liraglutide); P = 0.992). Liraglutide treatment resulted in a bodyweight loss of 4.7 ± 2.5 kg compared with 1.6 ± 2.7 kg in the placebo group (P = 0.014) accompanied by decreased cholesterol levels. No serious adverse events occurred during the 8-week observation period. The most common complaint was transient nausea, which occurred in 45% of the liraglutide-treated patients but in none from the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liraglutide treatment for 8 weeks did not significantly change PASI, DLQI, or hsCRP in a small group of glucose-tolerant obese patients with plaque psoriasis compared with placebo. A significant weight loss and decrease in cholesterol levels was observed in liraglutide-treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Division, Department of Medicine, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faurschou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gyldenløve
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachariae
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Knop
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vilsbøll
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D000069450:Liraglutide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012042:Registries; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists