The Effect of Weight Loss on Psoriasis Area Severity Index in Adult Psoriasis Patients

The Effect of Weight Loss on Psoriasis Area Severity Index in Adult Psoriasis Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect that weight loss has on the severity of psoriasis in obese subjects. Fifty obese (BMI equal to or greater than 30) patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis will be enrolled in a weight loss intervention program. The severity of their psoriasis will be reevaluated at month 3 and month 6 of the program to determine what effect weight loss has had on their psoriasis. Serum TNF-alpha will be measured at month 0 and month 6. The hypothesis that will be tested is that weight loss will lead to a significant improvement in the severity of psoriasis and a reduction in TNF-alpha levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >18 years of age
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) >/= 30
• Subject has plaque psoriasis
• A Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score >/= 10 or a total body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis >/= 10%
• Capable of reading, understanding, and signing a consent form
• Females of childbearing potential must have negative urine pregnancy test on Day 0, and agree to a medically effective method of birth control (as determined by the investigator)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Already participating in a study for weight loss or a study of other psoriasis treatments
• If they are on systemic therapy for their psoriasis
• Female subjects who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Patients with a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or other diseases that would make a weight loss program a risk to their health
• Subjects unable to comply with study protocol