الفهرس 
Psoriasis VulgarisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Although psoriasis occurs worldwide, its prevalence varies considerably. The worldwide prevalence of psoriasis is estimated to be approximately 2–3%. Poriasis can present at any age as it has been reported both at birth and in older people of advanced age. Also psoriasis can begin at any age, yet there is a bimodal peak between age 20-30 years old and 50-60 years old. Psoriasis appears to be slightly more prevalent among women than among men. The incidence of psoriasis is dependent on the climate and genetic heritage of the population.
Objectives: The aim of this work was to assess the changes in high-sensitive C-reactive protein serum level in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis before and after treatment with narrow band ultraviolet B therapy and Methotrexate in order to further support the importance of hscrp as a prognostic inflammatory marker for both psoriasis severity and efficacy of different anti psoriatic treatments.
Patients and Methods: Our study included 40 patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris; 20 patients received NB-UVB phototherapy (group A) and 20 patients received IM methotrexate (group B). Measurement of serum hscrp was done using COBAS INTEGRA® 400 plus automated turbidemetric analyzer system for each Patient in both groups before and 12 weeks after starting of the treatment. Evaluation of treatment response was done through comparing PASI, DLQI and hscrp before and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Results: Results revealed that NB-UVB therapy and methotrexate were efficient in treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis with decreasing severity of inflammation by significant decrease in PASI, DLQI scores and serum hscrp levels after 12 weeks of treatment. Moreover, there was statistically significant reduction in PASI score (with significantly higher PASI %), DLQI and serum hscrp after 12 weeks of treatment in group B compared to group A patients; indicating higher treatment response (clinical improvement) with methotrexate than NB-UVB therapy. Furthermore, our study showed significant positive correlations between PASI and either DLQI or hscrp before and after treatment in both study groups, indicating the higher PASI score of patients, the higher DLQI and hscrp reported. However, no significant relations were found between treatment response and patients’ age, duration of disease and family history regarding PASI, DLQI and hscrp in both study groups before and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Conclusion: We concluded that highly sensitive C reactive protein is a promising inflammatory marker for monitoring psoriasis severity and efficacy of treatment. Moreover, methotrexate treatment is more effective in decreasing PASI, DLQI as well as hscrp than narrow band ultraviolet B therapy, hence, better treatment response could be achieved.