Two birds one stone: semaglutide is highly effective against severe psoriasis in a type 2 diabetic patient

Abstract

Summary

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). GLP-1 analogs exert several biological activities connected not only with an insulinotropic effect but also with immunoregulation and reduction of inflammation. A 73-year-old male patient with class III obesity was referred to us for T2DM, which was not controlled with metformin therapy. He had suffered from plaque psoriasis for some years and was treated with topical therapy and adalimumab, without success. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was 33.2 (indicating severe psoriasis), and the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) was 26.0 (indicating an extremely negative effect on the patient's life). Semaglutide (starting with 0.25 mg/week for 4 weeks, increased to 0.50 mg/week for 12 weeks, and then to 1 mg/week) was added to metformin. After 4 months, glycemic parameters had improved, and his body weight decreased. Unexpectedly, skin lesions of plaque psoriasis improved. PASI decreased by 19% compared with baseline and quality of life, assessed with the DLQI, markedly ameliorated. After 10 months, glycemic and obesity parameters, as well as psoriasis, improved further. HbA1c, BMI, and PASI were reduced by 32, 16.3, and 92%, respectively, compared with the baseline. DLQI declined to 0, meaning there was no effect of plaque psoriasis on the patient’s life.

Learning points

• Psoriasis in patients with type 2 diabetes is often resistant to therapy.

• We observed an obese patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus who achieved glycemic control and weight loss with the addition of semaglutide to metformin and had a relevant and long-lasting improvement of plaque psoriasis, which was previously resistant to biologic therapy.

• Therapy with semaglutide may be attempted in eligible patients with difficult to treat plaque psoriasis.