Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with relapsing nature. Estimates are that approximately 2–3% of the world’s population suffers from this disease. More severe forms of psoriasis are conditions of high inflammation, which is confirmed by the clinical picture and numerous inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines and homocysteine, which vary with disease activity. The objective of this clinical study was to investigate the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide therapy on pro-inflammatory factors in the serum and the severity of the clinical picture of psoriasis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on chronic metformin therapy. This randomized clinical study was conducted on 31 psoriatic patients with T2DM that were randomized into two groups: one that received semaglutide during the 12-week trial (n = 15), while the second was control (n = 16). The results demonstrated that the severity of the clinical picture of psoriasis, determined by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, was significantly better after the administration of semaglutide (the median baseline PASI score in patients treated with semaglutide was 21 (IQR = 19.8), while after 12 weeks of therapy the score was 10 (IQR = 6; p = 0.002). Also, the quality of life in the group of patients who received the drug, measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), improved significantly after 3 months (a median baseline DLQI score in the semaglutide group was 14 (IQR = 5) at the beginning of the study, and after 12 weeks of treatment the median DLQI score was 4 (IQR = 4; p = 0.002)). The use of semaglutide led to a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum (IL6), as well as a significant decrease in CRP values (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the body mass index (BMI) value in the semaglutide-treated group was also identified, as well as a significant decrease in the level of low-density cholesterol (LDL) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, semaglutide, based on its systemic anti-inflammatory characteristics, could contribute to the treatment of psoriatic obese patients with T2DM.

Background/Aim: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is chronic inflammatory disease with estimated prevalence of 6 % to 41 % in patients with psoriasis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PsA in Bosnian patients with psoriasis in everyday dermatological practice by using psoriasis epidemiology screening tool (PEST) screening test for detection of PsA. Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis. Data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment history, were collected using a questionnaire. Clinical characteristics of psoriasis included clinical cutaneous manifestations and plaques and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The risk of having PsA was evaluated by PEST (scores ≥ 3 indicate risk of PsA). The data were analysed using the Chi-square and Independent t-test. Results: Of 79 included psoriatic patients, 22.8 % had a PEST ≥ 3. Psoriatic patients with PEST ≥ 3 were more likely to have certain comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.044) and psychological disorders (p = 0.022). The psoriatic patients with PEST < 3 and PEST ≥ 3 did not differ in PASI severity, but psoriatic patients with PEST ≥ 3 were more likely to have nail psoriasis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, using PEST questionnaire, one fifth of Bosnian patients were suspected of having PsA, highlighting a need for improved screening for PsA in daily dermatological practice. Earlier care is important because these patients were more likely to have cardiovascular diseases, psychological disorders and nail disease.