The Efficacy of Low-Dose Enoxaparin in Psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a frequently encountered inflammatory skin disease with unclear etiology and no curative therapy. Enoxaparin is a low-molecular weight heparin analogue. Heparin and its analogues in low doses have antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. Low-dose enoxaparin has inhibitory effects on T cell-mediated immune reactions. T lymphocytes play a key role in the immunpathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose enoxaparin in the treatment of psoriasis. Twenty-three patients with chronic plaque and guttate psoriasis were enrolled in an open study. Patients were given subcutaneous injections of 5 mg enoxaparin once weekly for a total of 6 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference between the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores at the beginning and at the 6th week follow up (p=0.008). Four out of 23 patients (17%) showed marked improvement (≥50% reduction in the PASI score), eight patients (35%) showed moderate improvement (25-49% reduction), five (22%) were unchanged (