Atorvastatin as an adjuvant with betamethasone valerate reduces disease severity and cardiovascular risks in Psoriasis

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Atorvastatin as an adjuvant with betamethasone valerate on disease severity and cardiovascular risks in chronic plaque type psoriatic patients.

Methods: It is an interventional study conducted in Pharmacology Department of BMSI, JPMC with the collaboration of Dermatology Department of JPMC, Karachi. The duration of study was from June 2013 to June 2016. Seventy five psoriatic patients were prescribed Tablet Atorvastatin 40-20 mg/day (40mg for first three months twice daily followed by 20mg once daily for the next three month) plus topical Betamethasone Valerate 0.1% once daily for 6 months (three week apply than one week interval). The efficacy and safety profile of drugs was measured by PASI, DLQI, hsCRP, LFTS and Lipid profile.

Results: The percentage change of PASI is 86.749±0.547, DLQI is 82.697±.2.61 and hsCRP is 40.371±8.505, which showed highly significant improvement in patient at the end of last follow up. LFTs and CPK for safety profile of therapy showed non-significant results.

Conclusion: Atorvastatin used as an adjuvant therapy with currently existing standard therapy (topical betamethasone) in patients having mild to moderate plaque type psoriasis reduces disease severity and cardiovascular risks.

List of Abbreviation: PASI: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. DLQI: Dermatological Life Quality Index. hsCRP: Highly sensitive C-reactive protein. LFTs: Liver Function Test.