Comparative Analysis of Small and Large Plaque Psoriasis

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Psoriasis

In brief

Psoriasis is a chronic, debilitating skin disorder with an estimated prevalence of 2%. Psoriatic skin lesions start with initial pinhead-sized macules and then coalesce into plaques of varying sizes. Despite the great strides in the studies for psoriasis, it is still unclear why psoriatic skin lesions start with small macules and then spread peripherally. To study peripheral spreading of psoriasis, investigators plan to study small plaque psoriasis in comparison to large plaque psoriasis in the Korean population. Large plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, seen in approximately 90% of all psoriasis participants. Large psoriatic plaques are \>5 cm in size and localize to the extensor aspects of the elbows, knees, scalp, and genital area. On the other hand, small plaque psoriasis is the common or typical form of psoriasis that occurs particularly in Korea and other Asian countries. Korean small plaque psoriasis, even when chronic, remains \<2 cm in size and is widely distributed on the upper trunk and proximal extremities. Investigators hypothesize that the expression of immune-related genes are different between small and large plaque psoriasis. The study of a genetically homogeneous cohort, characterized by the relatively high prevalence of small plaque psoriasis in the Korean population, may filter out spurious signals while allowing for significant associations to emerge from a relatively low number of participants. By comparing small and large plaque psoriasis, it is expected this study could lead to new understandings of the mechanisms involved in spreading of psoriatic plaques and provide new insights into psoriasis development.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01920906

Run by

Rockefeller University

People needed

13

Starts

2014-01-01

Expected to finish

2015-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-05-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Self-identified as Korean (defined as being Korean and both parents are Korean)
• History of small and/or large plaque psoriasis, for at least six months
• At least 18 years of age
• No treatment with topical steroids or vitamin D analogues for at least 2 weeks prior to entering the study.
• No treatment with systemic therapies, including phototherapy, acitretin, cyclosporine, methotrexate and biologics 4 weeks prior to entering the study. Among biologics, Ustekinumab (Stelara®) requires a longer washout period of 12 weeks.

You may not qualify if…

• Erythrodermic, or pustular psoriasis as the sole or predominant form of psoriasis.
• Photosensitizing illnesses such as lupus, polymorphous light eruption, or any disease known to be worsened by UV light exposure.
• History of malignant melanoma.
• Pregnancy.
• Immunocompromising diseases such as HIV infection.
• Inflammatory diseases such as but not limited to Crohn's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto's Disease.
• Any medical, psychological or social condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would jeopardize the health or well-being of the participant during any study procedures or the integrity of the data. Participants taking medications that induce photosensitivity may be included after careful review.
• Poorly controlled medical conditions of any kind.

Where it is running

• The Rockefeller University — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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