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 Background It has been reported that GLP-1 analogue can improve the skin lesions of psoriasis. However further research is needed to confirm that finding. Objective The 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. Methods We recruit 7 psoriasis patients with type 2 diabetes, and use hypodermic injection with liraglutide 1.8 mg. In 12 weeks of treatment, we estimate the difference of before and after respectively, like BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, fasting C-peptide, HbA1c, blood lipid levels, CRP, PASI, DLQI, skin tissue and pathological analysis of psoriasis. Results After 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  Conclusion GLP-1 analogue liraglutide 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.