title: Efficacy of Methotrexate in patients with plaque type psoriasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of Methotrexate in patients with plaque type psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was conducted in the department of Dermatology, Civil Hospital Karachi from September 2009 to March 2010. Seventy three patients between 18 to 50 years of age suffering from plaque type psoriasis with PASI score of >10 were included in the study after taking the informed consent. Oral methotrexate in a dose of 7.5 mg/week was given for 8 weeks. The data collected included demographic profile (age and gender), duration of disease, site of involvement, size of plaque, severity of plaque measured by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score before starting the treatment and at the end of treatment. Efficacy was labeled with a PASI score of ≤5 at the end of 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 73 patients there were 45 (61.6%) males and 28 (38.4%) females. The mean ±SD age was 40.0±12.6 years. The mean baseline PASI score showed clear and comparable improvement from a mean ± SD PASI score of 14.8±4.2 to 4.9±4.3.Twenty nine (40%) patients had an almost complete remission during the 8 weeks of treatment. Partial remission was achieved in 44 (60%) patients. The clearance time for psoriasis ranged from 5-7 weeks (mean 6±0.89 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with methotrexate for chronic plaque psoriasis brings satisfactory disease control and improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Sabiqa Haider, Post-Graduate, Department of Dermatology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sabiqa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.affiliation: Zarnaz Wahid, Professor & Head of the Department of Dermatology, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zarnaz
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wahid
authors.affiliation: Najam-us-Saher, Specialist (Classified) Dermatologist, Shaukat Omar Memorial Hospital, Fauji Foundation, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.lastname: Najam-Us-Saher
authors.affiliation: Farzana Riaz, Senior Registrar, Department of Dermatology, Children Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Farzana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riaz
keywords: Efficacy; Methotrexate; Plaque psoriasis; Remission