A study published in the April issue of the Archives of Dermatology shows that women with the skin condition psoriasis are at increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. The researchers suspect that inflammation, which plays a role in all three conditions, is likely the cause and suggest ways that women with psoriasis can lower their risk. Read more.
A drug approved in April to treat patients with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis appears to help patients who have not responded to anti-rheumatic drugs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The new medication, golimumab, is marketed under the name Simponi and is injected once monthly. Read more.
After three patients died from brain infections linked to the biologic drug Raptiva and the FDA issued a safety advisory, the drug’s maker, Genentech, ordered doctors to stop prescribing the psoriasis medication and announced that it would be gone from the market by June 8. Read more.
For most people living with psoriasis, the condition affects their nails as well, leaving them discolored and disfigured. A study from Italy published in the Archives of Dermatology in March showed that the psoriasis drug acitretin helped 25% of patients clear their nail psoriasis entirely, while another 25% experienced “moderate improvement.” Read more.
A new study showed that ustekinumab, a biologic drug currently undergoing clinical testing for approval to treat psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis, may significantly improve psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Read more.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Vectical ointment, derived from vitamin D3, for the treatment of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in adults. Read more.