The effect of various methods of psoriasis treatment on somatotrophin axis hormones in serum

Summary Objective: To investigate the effect of pharmacotherapy and phototherapy on the concentration of hormones of the somatotrophin axis [growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3)] in the serum of patients with psoriasis in exacerbation and remission. Methods: GH and IGFBP‐3 in serum were determined by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), and IGF‐I concentrations – by radioimmunological assay (RIA). The dermatological state was assessed by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Results: There was no significant difference in the GH concentrations in patients both in exacerbation and remission, irrespective of therapy applied. However, in the group treated by phototherapy a significant increase in IGFBP‐3 secretion was observed, whereas in the group treated with cyclosporin A – a significant increase in IGF‐I secretion was observed in remission. Conclusion: Different methods of treatment have different effects on the secretion of somatotrophin axis hormones, but generally the hormone concentrations do not return to the values observed in healthy people. The therapeutic actions of the drugs concerned are not fully known and require further investigations.