Treatment with liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, improves effectively the skin lesions of psoriasis patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundIt has been reported that GLP-1 analogue can improve the skin lesions of psoriasis. However further research is needed to confirm that finding. ObjectiveThe study can provide further data regarding the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 analogue liraglutide in the treatment of psoriasis patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsWe recruit 7 psoriasis patients with type 2 diabetes, and use hypodermic injection with liraglutide1.8 mg. In 12 weeks of treatment, we estimate the difference of before and after respectively, likeBMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, fasting C-peptide, HbA1c, blood lipid levels, CRP, PASI, DLQI, skin tissue and pathological analysis of psoriasis. ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the mean value of PASI decreased from 15.7 ± 11.8 to 2.2 ± 3.0 (P = 0.03), while the DLQI decreased from 21.8 ± 6 to 4.1 ± 3.9 (P = 0.001). HbA1c was significantly improved after 12 weeks of treatment, decreased to 6.4 ± 0.8% (P = 0.04), the BMI decreased to 21 ± 3 kg m−2 (P < 0.01), and the waist circumference was also significantly improved to 83 ± 1 cm (P < 0.05). And 12 weeks after, the fasting C-peptide levels increased to 1.9 ± 0.5 ng/ml (P = 0.006), HOMA - IR fell to 1.6 ± 0.6 (P = 0.03). Histological analysis showed a reduction in epidermal thickness after treatment. The mean PASI decreased from 15.7 (1.5–31.3) to 2.0 (0.3–8.7) (P = 0.03), the DLQI decreased from 22 (8–27) to 4 (0–10) (P = 0.001). ConclusionGLP-1 analogueliraglutide can improve the skin lesions of psoriasis patients with type 2 diabetes effectively, especially for extremely severe psoriasis patients. Its therapeutic effect may be related to anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and reducing weight.