One-alpha-hydroxy vitamin-D3 in psoriasis vulgaris patients with special reference to lacrimal glands tear secretion

ABSTRACT

None of the drugs currently in use in treatment of psoriasis is ideal and without side effects. In this study 30 patients of psoriasis vulgaris were treated with the oral vitamin D3 analogue one alpha-OH- D3 [one alpha tablet-Leo Pharmaceutica] in a dose of 1.0 ug per day for successive 20 weeks. Response of the drug was evaluated by applying the new psoriasis area and severity index [PASI] technique before, during and after commencement of therapy. Also, lacrimal glands tear secretion was evaluated using Schirmer's one test before and after therapy and compared with normal 30 age and sex matched subjects [control group]. Psoriatic skin lesions showed satisfactory improvement in 60% of the studied patients with a percent reduction in PASI of more than 50. Psoriatic patients showed significant low tear secretion of their eyes compared with the normal control group, which aroused the possibility of association of dry eyes syndrome with psoriasis. Nonsignificant reduction in Schirmer's one test values was observed in patients after the course of therapy. No significant changes were occurred in levels of serum calcium, phosphorus or parathormone due to one alpha-OH-D3 drug use in the studied group of patients. Very little and negligible side effects were reported during the drug use in three patients only out of 30. It was concluded that one alpha-OH-D3 is an effective and side effect free drug modality in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Combined therapy of one alpha-OH-D3 oral tablets with other systemic drugs currently used in treatment of psoriasis requires further evaluation, especially those drugs affecting the immune system of the patients