| Time to remission |
|---|
| Shupack | 181 | 16 weeks | CSA | Median time to 70% reduction in BSA: 8 weeks
Median time to 90% reduction in BSA: 12 weeks | Non-randomised induction period of maintenance trial (CSA: 5 mg/kg) |
| Ho 1999 | 365 | 12 weeks | CSA | Median time to satisfactory clinical response (≥75% reduction in BSA): 9.7 weeks | Non-randomised induction period of maintenance trial (CSA: 2.5–5 mg/kg) |
| Ozawa 1999 | 37 | To remission (maximum not stated) | CSA | Mean time to remission among responders (decrease in PASI of 80%): 15.4 weeks (4.7 months in continuous group and 3.0 months in intermittent group – but both received the same dose schedule during the induction period) | Induction period of maintenance trial (CSA: 3–5 mg/kg) |
| Time to maximum response (based on graphical representation) |
|---|
| Saurat 2008 | 158 | 16 weeks | MTX vs placebo | MTX maximal response not achieved during 16 week trial (curve for mean % improvement in PASI had reached 54.3% but still increasing gradually) | MTX: 7.5 mg increased to a maximum of 25 mg/wk as needed and tolerated Folic acid supplement |
| Ho 2010 | 36 | 24 weeks | MTX vs placebo | MTX response beginning to plateau at 4–6 months based on mean PASI score over time, but there is still a very gradual continued improvement over this period
The mean % improvement in PASI had reached 73.9% by 6 months | MTX: 2.5–5.0 mg/wk to assess safety then 10 mg/wk up to 30 mg/wk
Folic acid supplement |
| Flytstrom 2008 | 68 | 12 weeks | MTX vs CSA | Mean PASI scores for both MTX and CSA still decreasing gradually at 12 weeks
CSA response appears to be more rapid, with greater improvement over the first 4 weeks
By 12 weeks the mean % improvement in PASI was 58% in MTX group and 72% in CSA group | MTX: 7.5 mg/wk (3-divided dose) up to 15 mg/wk (plus folic acid)
CSA: 3 mg/kg/d (divided into 2 doses) up to 5 mg/kg/d |
| Heydendael 2003 | 62 | 16 weeks | MTX vs CSA | Maximal response based on PASI score appeared to be at 12 weeks for both MTX and CSA, with the PASI score increasing slightly between 12 and 16 weeks
By 16 weeks the mean % improvement in PASI was 64% in MTX group and 72% in CSA group | MTX: 15 mg/wk (3-divide dose) up to 22.5 mg/wk
CSA: 3 mg/kg/d (divided into 2 doses) up to 5 mg/kg/d |
| Goldfarb 1988 | 37 | 24 weeks | Acitretin dosing | Improvement in global score and % BSA based on pooled data for all doses of acitretin were maximal at 20 weeks based on graphical presentation of change over time (0–24 weeks)
The % BSA decreased from 35% to 13% by 24 weeks | 10, 25, 50 or 75 mg/day acitretin (plus open phase) |
| Lassus 1987 | 80 | 8 weeks | Acitretin dosing | Mean % change in PASI score was still increasing at 2 months (based on graphical representation of % change in PASI) on 10, 25 and 50 mg/day acitretin | 10, 25 or 50 mg/day acitretin (plus open phase)
Patients using potent steroid concomitantly |
| Berbis 1989 | 58 | 6 weeks | Acitretin dosing schedule | The increasing dosing schedule of acitretin appeared to still be effecting a greater rate of % improvement in PASI at 6 weeks than the decreasing or constant dosing schedules, which were also still improving, although more gradually
By 6 weeks the mean % improvement in PASI was approximately 55–65% across the three regimens | Acitretin: 10 up to 50 mg/day vs 50 down to 10 mg/day vs 30 mg/day |
| Christophers 1992 | 217 | 12 weeks | CSA | Mean % change in PASI was beginning to plateau at 8–12 weeks (and the response was approaching PASI75 at higher dose by this time point) | Doses initially 1.25 or 2.5 mg/kg (data based on those who did not require dose escalation: 24% of 1.25 mg/kg group and 62% of 2.5 mg/kg group) |
| Gumusel 2011 | 34 | 24 weeks | MTX vs CSA | Mean PASI scores reached maximum response for MTX at 8 weeks and CSA at 16 weeks | MTX: 15 mg/wk (single dose) for first 3 months then 10 mg/wk (single dose) for second 3 months (plus folic acid)
CSA: 5 mg/kg/d (divided into 2 doses) for first 3 months then 2.5–3.2 mg/kg/d for second 3 months |
