Oral roflumilast for psoriasis: a real-world 24-week prospective cohort study.

Abstract

Objective: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with significant physical and psychological burden, often associated with comorbidities such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Current treatments include conventional systemic therapies and targeted biologic and non-biologic therapies, with several limitations related to safety, efficacy, and cost. Roflumilast, a selective PDE4 inhibitor, shows potential as an oral therapy for psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory effects and favorable safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of oral roflumilast in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods: Prospective cohort study at a single center in Portugal including adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with oral roflumilast 500 mcg once daily.

Results: Among fifty-eight patients (baseline median PASI 13.7 ± 5.5), 63.0% achieved PASI < 5, 47.8% PASI < 3, and 21.7% PASI < 1 by week 24 (mNRI). Weight loss occurred in 53.4%, with a mean reduction of 6 kg ± 4.3. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms were common but rarely caused discontinuation. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion: Roflumilast demonstrated real-world effectiveness and a favorable safety profile in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Additional benefits, including weight loss and no need for laboratory monitoring, make it a promising treatment option, particularly for patients with comorbidities or limited access to biologic therapies.