Quality of life and clinical outcome in psoriasis patients using intermittent cyclosporin.

Summary Background Psoriasis causes considerable patient morbidity and can seriously affect a patient's quality of life (QoL). Objectives To investigate the relationships between changes in QoL and measures of severity and extent of disease, and itch, in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis receiving intermittent short courses of cyclosporin (Neoral(R)). Methods This study was performed as part of an international trial investigating the safety, efficacy and total costs of intermittent short courses of cyclosporin (the PISCES study). All patients received cyclosporin until clearance and were then followed up until relapse. On relapsing, patients received another course. Patients were followed up for a minimum of I year during which they could receive as many courses of treatment as necessary. In a subgroup (n = 255) of patients in the trial, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLOI) was used to assess the impact of psoriasis and its treatment on the patients' health status at the beginning and end of each treatment period. At the beginning and end of each treatment period, as well as at 2-weekly visits, the extent and severity of disease, together calculated into a modified Psoriasis Area and Severity index (PASI), and itch were recorded. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test, multivariate Hotelling's T[sup 2] tests, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r[sub s]). Results During treatment, a clear... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]