Psoriasis is a chronic disease and prevalent among 2-3% of the global population. Several therapeutic options alongside recent biologics have allowed the decrease and control of psoriasis lesions reaching a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) clearance of PASI75 or PASI90. Despite clinical improvements in lesions and provided PASI scores by clinicians as treatment success, patients have expressed varied satisfaction and perceptions. We present a case series that provides real-world evidence of combitherapy with calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) foam and biologics/systemics for the treatment of persistent psoriatic lesions.
Methods
A retrospective, single-center study involving 10 patients was conducted from July to December 2023. Data were retrieved before initiation of the combitherapy and at the 6-month follow-up at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes Pontchaillou in France. Patients included were adults (≥ 18 years old), diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis by a dermatologist, and treated with Cal/BD foam as well as either biologics and/or systemics medication. Psoriasis severity and the dynamics of the treatments were described using mean (m)PASI, body surface area (BSA) %, sleep disturbance, patient satisfaction, dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores and itch observation.
Results
Patients were mostly male (n = 7), had a mean age of 53.3 years and psoriasis history of 13.0 years (missing data = 2). All patients were treated by biologics/systemics with Cal/BD combitherapy, and improved mPASI after six months (p < 0.001). Most patients had a reduced BSA (60.0%) (p = 0.024) and lowered itch (70.0%). Sleep disturbance reported by four patients was improved. Most patients reported an improved DLQI (mean score from 11.8 to 0.1). Patient satisfaction was positive.
Conclusions
Our insight into treatment combinations of Cal/BD foam may present an opportunity to improve standard care and patient satisfaction for hard-to-treat and persistent psoriasis lesions.
