Pharmacovigilance in 150 cases of plaque psoriasis and a case for conventional therapy

Abstract

Psoriasis is commonest chronic skin disease afflicting 1-2% population and increasingly associating diabetic epidemic. The disfiguring stress, compromise of quality of life and uncertain response to therapy add risks of therapy getting distorted. Conventional medications remain popular with most physicians for treatment despite emergence of attractive biological therapies. Present study put vigil on the adverse consequences occurring in routine management of plaque psoriasis cases over three month uninterrupted treatment, excluding cases exhibiting noncompliance or dropouts. One fourth of all cases suffered one or more adverse effects stated in the report. Most adverse effects were explainable as known toxic effects of drugs or consequences of disease. The impact of therapeutic prescription in conformity with or in breach of standard guidelines, patient specific factors of age and sex, personal habits and diabetic co-morbidity were also assessed to comprehend scope for prevention, early detection or management of adverse effects. The literature is referred on available biological therapies as possible options and lacunae of evidence to their adoption are discussed. In balance, conventional drug therapy will continue to be mainstay of psoriasis therapy for forseable long period and quality care is suggested to best focus on minimizing their adverse effects.