| Popis: |
Introduction: Some studies have reported an association between serum zinc levels and psoriasis. This study aimed to assess the serum zinc level and thyroid dysfunction between psoriasis patients and healthy controls. Also, we evaluated the effect of oral zinc therapy in psoriasis patients with serum zinc deficiency. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 psoriasis patients and 100 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. Finally, 52 psoriasis patients with serum zinc deficiency were randomly divided into two groups: one in which clobetasol cream alone was treated (group A), and one in which clobetasol cream plus oral zinc sulfate was treated (group B). The treatment response was assessed with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Results: The mean serum zinc level in psoriasis patients and controls was 62.3 ± 14.3 μg/dL and 87.7 ± 35.2 μg/dL, respectively (P-value= .001). Serum zinc deficiency was found in 52% and 26% of psoriasis patients and control subjects, respectively. Thyroid dysfunction was found in 8% of patients with psoriasis compared with 7% in control subjects (P-value=.361). At the end of the 12th week of treatment, the mean value of % reduction from baseline values of PASI Score in group A was 23.8 ± 18.2%, whereas this was 21.31 ± 17.8% in group B (P-value=.486). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of serum zinc deficiency is higher in psoriasis patients compared with healthy subjects, oral zinc supplementation does not appear to have therapeutic benefits in these patients. Also, we could not find any relationship between thyroid dysfunction and psoriasis. |
