AimTo evaluate the efficacy of antihistamines in reducing pruritus in psoriasis, 61 patients were randomized to be treated for 1 week with clemastine (n = 20), levocetirizine (n = 21) or placebo (n = 20).Material and methodsAll patients received the same routine antipsoriatic treatment. Itch intensity was assessed with VAS and the Itch Questionnaire, and hand movements during sleep were counted with an accelerometer.ResultsThere was a statistically significant decrease in mean VAS scoring in clemastine and levocetirizine groups (p < 0.001), but not in the placebo group. Questionnaire scoring decreased significantly during the study in all study groups, with the greatest improvement noted in the clemastine group. The number of wrist movements during sleep did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionsAntihistamines of the first and second generations seem to be effective in reducing itch in patients with psoriasis, albeit the antipruritic effect is rather moderate. These observations need to be confirmed on larger patient groups.

IntroductionPsoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disorder with systemic involvement. It has recently been established that psoriasis is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Chronic skin-specific inflammation may promote atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction or stroke can also be a result of underlying haemostasis disorders. Disorders in fibrinolysis and thrombosis in patients with psoriasis have been observed by many authors.AimThis study points to the key role played by the tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation and the potential influence of microvascular disorders in inflamed psoriatic skin on TF and TFPI activity.Material and methodsThe study included 47 patients with active psoriasis vulgaris, hospitalized in the Dermatological Ward of the Regional Specialist Hospital, Research and Development Centre in Wroclaw, as well as 18 people from the control group.ResultsThere were significant differences in the blood concentrations of TF and TFPI in patients with psoriasis when compared to the control group. A low TFPI concentration in psoriatic patients may indicate an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Interpretation of a decreased level of TF in patients with psoriasis is difficult because it seems to be at odds with observations among patients with other atherosclerosis risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes or smoking.ConclusionsIt appears that further studies are necessary to explain this problem, perhaps to include an evaluation of TF levels in psoriatic skin.