This is a single-center, open-label, pilot study. A total of 30 subjects (15 in each study arm) will be enrolled in this 6 month study to evaluate whether the addition of narrow band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy can enhance the efficacy of etanercept's maintenance dose, 50 mg once a week, in obese psoriasis patients.
In Phase I, all subjects will receive etanercept's induction dose, 50 mg twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. In Phase II, all subjects will receive etanercept's maintenance dose, 50 mg once a week, during Weeks 12-24. Those subjects randomized to the treatment arm will receive NB-UVB phototherapy 3 times a week during Phase II. In order to ensure homogeneity between the NB-UVB arm and non-NB-UVB arm, subjects will be randomized according to their Body Mass Index (BMI). The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score and Physician Global Assessment (PGA) will be calculated at each visit to determine the effectiveness of the etanercept and NB-UVB treatment during both phases of the study. The hypothesis is that the combination of NB-UVB phototherapy three times a week and etanercept maintenance dose (50 mg once a week) will enhance the efficacy of the maintenance dose alone in obese patients (BMI \>30) with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Narrow band (310-312 nm) ultraviolet light B phototherapy 3 times a week during Weeks 12-24. NB-UVB therapy will be adjusted according to the clinical judgment of the University of California San Francisco Psoriasis Treatment Center phototherapy staff
Etanercept is given at the standard FDA approved dosage of 50 mg twice weekly x 3 months then 50 mg once weekly x 3 months.
UCSF Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center
San Francisco, California, United States
Psoriasis Area Severity Index. This Scale Ranges From 0-72, 0 Being no Disease, and 72 Being Most Severe. The Number of Patients Who Achieved 75% Improvement of Their Psoriasis at the End of 24 Weeks Are Indicated in the Outcomes Data Below.
Psoriasis area severity index was used to determine the number of patients in each treatment arm who had 75% improvement in their psoriasis. This scale uses the characteristics of the psoriasis, such as body surface area, redness, thickness, and scaling, to determine the severity score.
Time frame: Weeks 12-24
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