title: Efficacy and safety of fumaric acid esters in combination with phototherapy in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (FAST).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis using a combination of fumaric acid esters (FAE, Fumaderm®) and phototherapy (UV) is common practice, there have been hardly any studies investigating this regimen. Available information is limited to data from a small pilot study. The objective of the present study was to evaluate FAE/UV combination therapy in a larger patient cohort with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective noninterventional multicenter study, data from patients treated with FAE/UV combination therapy was assessed with regard to efficacy (PGA' PASI, DLQI, EQ-5D), safety, and dosage over a twelve-month period. The findings were subsequently compared to data from a previous retrospective study on FAE monotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 363 patients was included in the analysis. Efficacy measures improved substantially on combination therapy. Compared to FAE monotherapy, FAE/UV therapy led to a faster clinical response, however, there was no difference in efficacy after 12 months. Neither the duration nor the type of phototherapy had an impact on efficacy. In general, combination therapy was well tolerated. Seven percent of patients experienced adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FAE/UV combination therapy is effective and well tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Such treatment may induce a faster therapeutic response, and appears to be useful, particularly in the first three months of FAE therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dermatologikum Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weisenseel
authors.affiliation: Dermatologikum Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.affiliation: SCIderm GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Wiebke
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Griemberg
authors.affiliation: Biogen Idec GmbH, Ismaning, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merten
authors.affiliation: Biogen Idec GmbH, Ismaning, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gröschel
authors.affiliation: Biogen Idec GmbH, Ismaning, Germany.
authors.forename: Natalie Nunez
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.affiliation: Biogen Idec GmbH, Ismaning, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taipale
authors.affiliation: Joint Dermatology Practice Dr. med. Beate Bräu und Dr. med. Antje Gross, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Beate
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bräu
authors.affiliation: SCIderm GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zschocke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate
keywords: fumaric acid esters; observational study; phototherapy/ultraviolet therapy; psoriasis