Easing Psoriasis And Depression
Enbrel, a drug approved to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, might also help psoriasis patients mentally and physically.
The finding, published in The Lancet, comes from a study of 618 people with moderate to severe psoriasis.
The study's main goal was to test Enbrel as a psoriasis skin treatment. The researchers also noticed a drop in depression and fatigue in patients who got Enbrel instead of a fake drug.
The researchers included Stephen Tyring, MD, of the dermatology department at the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Ranga Krishnan, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
"While depression scores improved, we cannot be sure why," Krishnan says, in a news release. "Our next step is to run this type of trial in people who have depression but not psoriasis."
"At this point, no one should run to their doctor and ask for this drug for depression," Krishnan continues. "However, the science is very exciting to us."
Enbrel blocks an inflammatory chemical called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha has been linked to fatigue and sleepiness, and it may also be connected to depression, according to background information in the study.
Psoriasis is a common, chronic condition marked by patches of itchy, scaly, and sometimes inflamed skin, often on the elbows, hands, feet, scalp, or back.
Some psoriasis cases are mild. Others are severe, leaving patients feeling self-conscious, isolated, and depressed.
"Depression, substance abuse, and suicidality are common and problematic in patients with psoriasis," write Tyring and colleagues.
Depression is also common in people in general and depression treatments (including talk therapy and the use of antidepressants) are often helpful.
The finding, published in The Lancet, comes from a study of 618 people with moderate to severe psoriasis.
The study's main goal was to test Enbrel as a psoriasis skin treatment. The researchers also noticed a drop in depression and fatigue in patients who got Enbrel instead of a fake drug.
The researchers included Stephen Tyring, MD, of the dermatology department at the University of Texas Health Science Center, and Ranga Krishnan, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
"While depression scores improved, we cannot be sure why," Krishnan says, in a news release. "Our next step is to run this type of trial in people who have depression but not psoriasis."
"At this point, no one should run to their doctor and ask for this drug for depression," Krishnan continues. "However, the science is very exciting to us."
Enbrel blocks an inflammatory chemical called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha has been linked to fatigue and sleepiness, and it may also be connected to depression, according to background information in the study.
Psoriasis is a common, chronic condition marked by patches of itchy, scaly, and sometimes inflamed skin, often on the elbows, hands, feet, scalp, or back.
Some psoriasis cases are mild. Others are severe, leaving patients feeling self-conscious, isolated, and depressed.
"Depression, substance abuse, and suicidality are common and problematic in patients with psoriasis," write Tyring and colleagues.
Depression is also common in people in general and depression treatments (including talk therapy and the use of antidepressants) are often helpful.
posted by Nick Riley @ 8:16 AM
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