Study on Roflumilast for Psoriasis and Weight Issues

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that oral roflumilast, a drug commonly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), could be beneficial for individuals with psoriasis who are struggling with weight issues.

The findings stem from post-hoc analyses of the PSORRO study, which focused on patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either oral roflumilast or a placebo for 12 weeks, followed by open-label treatment for another 12 weeks. No lifestyle or dietary interventions were implemented during the study.

The results from this study revealed that patients taking roflumilast experienced significant weight loss compared to individuals on placebo. At week 12, the median weight change was reported as -2.6%, which increased to -4% by week 24. Patients initially on placebo saw minimal changes in weight, with figures around 0.0% at week 12 and a slight decrease of -1.3% by week 24.

Furthermore, along with weight loss, patients on roflumilast reported a reduction in appetite, indicating a potential mechanism contributing to the observed weight changes. It is worth noting that no significant alterations were detected in blood pressure or laboratory tests, suggesting a relatively safe profile for the medication.

The outcomes acknowledge the limitations of this study, including its post-hoc nature and a relatively small sample size. The consistent findings of weight reduction and decreased appetite underscore the potential of roflumilast as a valuable addition to the treatment arsenal for psoriasis patients suffering from excess weight.

Reference

Gyldenløve, M., Sørensen, J. A., Fage, S., Meteran, H., Skov, L., Zachariae, C., Knop, F. K., Nielsen, M.-L., & Egeberg, A. (2024). Effects of oral roflumilast therapy on body weight and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with psoriasis – results from a randomized controlled trial (PSORRO). In Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2024.02.036