EVALUATION AND EFFICACY OF METHOTREXATE IN MODERATE TO SEVERE CASES OF CHRONIC PLAQUE VS METHOTREXATE ALONECOMPARATIVE CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Background: A systemic inflammatory chronic disease with a high recurrence rate is psoriasis. Nowadays,
phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors like Apremilast and methotrexate, which is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, are
the most often used medications to treat psoriasis.
Aim: The purpose of this research was to evaluate, in moderate to severe instances of chronic plaque psoriasis, the
relative effectiveness of methotrexate with apremilast against methotrexate alone.
Methods: Eighty adult patients with a verified diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis were included in the current
prospective comparative investigation. Each patient had a thorough clinical and demographic assessment using
structured proforma. Total study subjects were divided into 2 groups of 40 subjects each where Group I subjects were
treated using combined oral methotrexate and Apremilast and Group II using Oral Apremilast only and were assessed
at 4 and 12 weeks after investigations when required.
Results: Of the patients in this study, 55% (n=44) were between the ages of 31 and 50, and 27.5% (n=22) reported
having comorbid conditions such diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions. At all first, second, and third followups,
Group I's PASI scores were lower than Group II's. Group I saw an 89% improvement in mean PASI scores
during the 12-week follow-up, a much larger drop in scores.
Conclusions: Compared to methotrexate alone, the current study's multimodal treatment combining apremilast and
methotrexate is more effective in treating persistent plaque psoriasis.