Non-invasive assessment of the antipsoriatic activity of fumaric acid derivatives.
OBJECTIVE
Noninvasive methods are introduced for the monitoring of healing of psoriasis. Fumaris acid derivatives (FAD) were used in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris for more than 30 years, but the effectiveness of these drugs has remained controversial. The object was to study the efficacy of FAD in a prospective study including noninvasive techniques, which may allow more accurate assessment in a smaller patient group.


METHODS
High-frequency ultrasound including image analysis, and colorimetry was employed. 14 patients were treated for 20 weeks.


RESULTS
In the ultrasound image, acanthosis and inflammatory infiltrate of active psoriasis cause an echopoor area under the entry echo. Under theray, this echo area diminishes while its density increases. During healing, the decrease in redness could be quantified.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring of the healing of psoriasis is possible with ultrasonography and colorimetry. Fumaric acid was found efficient and safe in the treatment of psoriasis.
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
K
K
Hoffmann
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
T
T
Dirschka
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
H
H
Schwarze
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
M
M
Stücker
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
U
U
Matthes
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
S
S
El-Gammal
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
A
A
Hoffmann
Dermatological Department of the Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
P
P
Altmeyer
20-MHz sonography; Colorimetry; Image analysis; Psoriasis; fumaric acid derivatives