Evaluation of the role of sulphasalazine in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis

Abstract

The efficacy of sulphasalazine in the treatment of psoriasis was assessed by a double-blind trial performed on 17 patients. Treatment with sulphasalazine for 4 weeks caused a significant improvement in total body surface area of psoriasis and amount of scale, but produced no significant reduction in erythema or thickness of the plaques. Acetylator status was performed on patients drawn from both the double-blind trial and a preliminary open trial to assess if therapeutic response might be related to this factor. There was no correlation between overall response of psoriasls to sulphasalazine and the acetylator status of the patient. It is concluded that sulphasalazine is a safe, cheap and effective systemic therapy for psoriasis. Although side-effects are relatively common, they occur early and are reversible on discontinuation of the drug.