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The Role of Antimalarials in the Exacerbation of Psoriasis

A Systematic Review

  • Original Research Article
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Abstract

Objective: To critically review the body of literature that refutes or supports the role of antimalarials in the exacerbation of psoriasis.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were reviewed to identify English-language publications from 1966–2005 examining the role of antimalarials in the exacerbation of psoriasis. A total of 374 articles were identified, of which 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. All available clinical trials or reported cases of the use of antimalarials for patients with psoriasis were included. Data from clinical studies were summarized according to the level of evidence and the outcome of the study. Data were entered into a standardized data extraction form by two independent reviewers.

Results and conclusion: No randomized trial evidence was found. Only one cohort study was available for review. A total of 31 case series and case reports were obtained. There is no strong evidence to refute or support the role of antimalarials in the exacerbation of psoriasis. Controlled trials of antimalarial therapy and its effect on psoriasis are warranted.

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Acknowledgments

Dr Holbrook is the recipient of a CIHR Investigator career award. No sources of funding were used in the preparation of this article. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Sari M. Herman, Michael H. Shin, Anne Holbrook & Donald Rosenthal

  2. Division of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Department of Medicine and Centre for Evaluation of Medicines, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Anne Holbrook

  3. Division of Dermatology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Donald Rosenthal

Authors
  1. Sari M. Herman
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  2. Michael H. Shin
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  3. Anne Holbrook
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  4. Donald Rosenthal
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Correspondence to Sari M. Herman.

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Herman, S.M., Shin, M.H., Holbrook, A. et al. The Role of Antimalarials in the Exacerbation of Psoriasis. Am J Clin Dermatol 7, 249–257 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200607040-00006

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