Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Metformin in Treatment of Moderate Psoriasis

NCT ID: NCT02644954

Last Updated: 2016-01-01

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-01-31

Brief Summary

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Psoriasis vulgaris is a common, chronic, relapsing skin disease characterized by predominant involvement of skin, nails and joints. Recent advances in its patho-physiology have shifted the notion of psoriasis from that of a 'disease of the skin' to a 'T-cell mediated systemic disease'. Better understanding of its pathogenesis and co-morbidities along with the development of novel therapeutics like biological response modifiers has changed the way dermatologists approach the management of psoriasis. Based on the extent of involvement and effect on the quality of life, psoriasis may be mild to moderate in severity. This in turn forms the basis of treatment in majority of the patients. Topical therapies like coal tar, calcipotriol and corticosteroids are sufficient for mild and localized psoriasis. In more widespread or severe forms that are associated with significant decrease in quality of life of patient, phototherapy and systemic therapies are indicated either alone or in combination with each other. Although the introduction of biological therapies has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis in recent years, such newer therapeutic options continue to elude the vast majority of patients in the developing and under developed world where the traditional agents like methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin and phototherapy still form the backbone of treatment.

The association of psoriasis with metabolic syndrome is now well documented. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors including central obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose intolerance and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and stroke. Metformin, an oral hypoglycemic agent of biguanide class is known for its multitude of action on various facets of metabolic syndrome. Recently it has also been found to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation in cell culture model of psoriasis.

The present study is designed as a randomized controlled double blind pilot study in which 40 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis of moderate severity (PASI ≥ 6 or DLQI ≥ 6) and metabolic syndrome (By modified ATP III criteria)4 or impaired glucose tolerance (defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test) will be recruited and randomized into two arms, A and B of 20 each, by using random number tables. Patients in arm A will be treated with topical anti-psoriatic treatment (including coal tar and vitamin D3 analogues only) and oral metformin 1g/day 850mg twice daily and patients in arm B will be treated with topical anti-psoriatic treatment and oral placebo tablets. Post randomization patients will be followed up at regular intervals for 24 weeks. During each visit, patients in both arms will be assessed for the severity of psoriasis by psoriasis activity severity index (PASI) and body mass index (BMI). Fasting blood glucose and insulin level, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and parameters of metabolic syndrome (including waist circumference, fasting lipid profile and blood pressure) will be assessed at baseline and again at week 16 and 24. The primary aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of oral metformin as an add on therapy for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis of moderate severity. The secondary aim is to assess the effect of metformin on parameters of the metabolic syndrome.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Psoriasis

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Metformin

Topical coal tar and topical calcipotriol + oral metformin 850mg twice daily

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Metformin

Intervention Type DRUG

Metformin 850 mg twice daily given in the intervention arm to patients of moderate psoriasis

Topical Coal tar

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical coal tar to be applied once daily

Topical calcipotriol

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical calcipotriol to be applied once daily

Placebo

Topical coal tar and topical calcipotriol

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo drug twice daily given in the intervention arm to patients of moderate psoriasis

Topical Coal tar

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical coal tar to be applied once daily

Topical calcipotriol

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical calcipotriol to be applied once daily

Interventions

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Metformin

Metformin 850 mg twice daily given in the intervention arm to patients of moderate psoriasis

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Placebo drug twice daily given in the intervention arm to patients of moderate psoriasis

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical Coal tar

Topical coal tar to be applied once daily

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical calcipotriol

Topical calcipotriol to be applied once daily

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Chronic plaque psoriasis of moderate severity, defined as PASI ≥ 6 and/or DLQI ≥ 6
* Metabolic syndrome (By modified ATP III criteria)4 or impaired glucose tolerance (defined as two-hour glucose levels of 140 to 199 mg per dL on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test.)

Exclusion Criteria

* Known drug allergies to biguanides.
* Psoriatic arthritis
* Pustular psoriasis
* Severe psoriasis PASI\>10, DLQI\> 10
* Patient with overt diabetes mellitus, defined as fasting blood sugar \> 126mg/dl glucose tolerance test of \>200mg/dl.
* Intake of oral hypoglycemic or systemic anti-psoriatic medication within the last 4 weeks.
* Patients on medications for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, disorders
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dr. Sunil Dogra

Additional Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Sunil Dogra, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

Central Contacts

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Sunil Dogra, MD

Role: CONTACT

Tarun Narang, MD

Role: CONTACT

References

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Torti DC, Feldman SR. Interleukin-12, interleukin-23, and psoriasis: current prospects. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Dec;57(6):1059-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.07.016. Epub 2007 Aug 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17706835 (View on PubMed)

Li W, Ma W, Zhong H, Liu W, Sun Q. Metformin inhibits proliferation of human keratinocytes through a mechanism associated with activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med. 2014 Feb;7(2):389-392. doi: 10.3892/etm.2013.1416. Epub 2013 Nov 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24396411 (View on PubMed)

Reich K. The concept of psoriasis as a systemic inflammation: implications for disease management. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Mar;26 Suppl 2:3-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04410.x.

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Spah F. Inflammation in atherosclerosis and psoriasis: common pathogenic mechanisms and the potential for an integrated treatment approach. Br J Dermatol. 2008 Aug;159 Suppl 2:10-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08780.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18700910 (View on PubMed)

Gisondi P, Tessari G, Conti A, Piaserico S, Schianchi S, Peserico A, Giannetti A, Girolomoni G. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a hospital-based case-control study. Br J Dermatol. 2007 Jul;157(1):68-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07986.x. Epub 2007 Jun 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Gelfand JM, Neimann AL, Shin DB, Wang X, Margolis DJ, Troxel AB. Risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis. JAMA. 2006 Oct 11;296(14):1735-41. doi: 10.1001/jama.296.14.1735.

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Ludwig RJ, Herzog C, Rostock A, Ochsendorf FR, Zollner TM, Thaci D, Kaufmann R, Vogl TJ, Boehncke WH. Psoriasis: a possible risk factor for development of coronary artery calcification. Br J Dermatol. 2007 Feb;156(2):271-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07562.x.

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10604883 (View on PubMed)

Pathirana D, Ormerod AD, Saiag P, Smith C, Spuls PI, Nast A, Barker J, Bos JD, Burmester GR, Chimenti S, Dubertret L, Eberlein B, Erdmann R, Ferguson J, Girolomoni G, Gisondi P, Giunta A, Griffiths C, Honigsmann H, Hussain M, Jobling R, Karvonen SL, Kemeny L, Kopp I, Leonardi C, Maccarone M, Menter A, Mrowietz U, Naldi L, Nijsten T, Ortonne JP, Orzechowski HD, Rantanen T, Reich K, Reytan N, Richards H, Thio HB, van de Kerkhof P, Rzany B. European S3-guidelines on the systemic treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Oct;23 Suppl 2:1-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03389.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19712190 (View on PubMed)

Solomon DH, Massarotti E, Garg R, Liu J, Canning C, Schneeweiss S. Association between disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and diabetes risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. JAMA. 2011 Jun 22;305(24):2525-31. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.878.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21693740 (View on PubMed)

Jensterle M, Janez A, Mlinar B, Marc J, Prezelj J, Pfeifer M. Impact of metformin and rosiglitazone treatment on glucose transporter 4 mRNA expression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2008 Jun;158(6):793-801. doi: 10.1530/EJE-07-0857. Epub 2008 Mar 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18322300 (View on PubMed)

Mourao-Junior CA, Sa JR, Guedes OM, Dib SA. Effects of metformin on the glycemic control, lipid profile, and arterial blood pressure of type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome already on insulin. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006 Apr;39(4):489-94. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2006000400009. Epub 2006 Apr 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16612472 (View on PubMed)

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22117616 (View on PubMed)

Hadi NR, Al-Amran FG, Swadi A. Metformin ameliorates methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2012 Jul;3(3):248-53. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.99426.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23129960 (View on PubMed)

Charles MA, Morange P, Eschwege E, Andre P, Vague P, Juhan-Vague I. Effect of weight change and metformin on fibrinolysis and the von Willebrand factor in obese nondiabetic subjects: the BIGPRO1 Study. Biguanides and the Prevention of the Risk of Obesity. Diabetes Care. 1998 Nov;21(11):1967-72. doi: 10.2337/diacare.21.11.1967.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9802752 (View on PubMed)

Batchuluun B, Inoguchi T, Sonoda N, Sasaki S, Inoue T, Fujimura Y, Miura D, Takayanagi R. Metformin and liraglutide ameliorate high glucose-induced oxidative stress via inhibition of PKC-NAD(P)H oxidase pathway in human aortic endothelial cells. Atherosclerosis. 2014 Jan;232(1):156-64. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.10.025. Epub 2013 Nov 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24401231 (View on PubMed)

Glossmann H, Reider N. A marriage of two "Methusalem" drugs for the treatment of psoriasis?: Arguments for a pilot trial with metformin as add-on for methotrexate. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013 Apr 1;5(2):252-63. doi: 10.4161/derm.23874.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24194965 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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NK/1842/Res/1096

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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