The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect that weight loss has on the severity of psoriasis in obese subjects. Fifty obese (BMI equal to or greater than 30) patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis will be enrolled in a weight loss intervention program. The severity of their psoriasis will be reevaluated at month 3 and month 6 of the program to determine what effect weight loss has had on their psoriasis. Serum TNF-alpha will be measured at month 0 and month 6. The hypothesis that will be tested is that weight loss will lead to a significant improvement in the severity of psoriasis and a reduction in TNF-alpha levels.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Subjects will enroll in a weight loss program and participate in weight loss counseling 6 times over the course of 6 months.
University of Texas Dermatology Clinical Research
Houston, Texas, United States
Severity of psoriasis
The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) is the most common validated psoriasis severity assessment tool used in clinical trials, and combines redness, thickness, and scaliness of skin lesions with the body surface area that is affected. Most clinical trials define moderate to severe psoriasis as a PASI score of greater than or equal to 10, or a total Body Surface Area (BSA) of greater than or equal to 10%.
Time frame: 6 months
Serum TNF-alpha levels
Changes in TNF-alpha levels will be correlated to weight loss. TNF-alpha levels assess inflammatory conditions.
Time frame: 6 months
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