[Gastrointestinal function in patients with psoriasis concurrent with chronic opisthorchiasis before and after...

The impact of antihelminthic therapy on gastrointestinal function was studied in 150 patients with psoriasis concurrent with chronic opisthorchiasis, 100 patients with psoriasis without helminthiasis, and 30 healthy individuals. A fractional study of gastric secretion was conducted in its both phases, by using histamine stimulation; carbohydrate absorption was investigated by the 5-g D-xylose test; fat absorption by the Kamer procedure; the bioelectrical activity of the small bowel was examined by electric enterography. These indices were followed up for 2-3 years. There were negative changes in gastric function in patients with 2-year persistent Opisthorchis invasion as compared with those recovered from this condition, in the latter, the pathological process becoming stable. After 3 years of the follow-up, negative changes were found in the values of fat and D-xylose absorption in patients with psoriasis as compared to the cured patients in whom the indices did not significantly become worse, However, in the cured patients, the absorption of fat and Dxylose did not normalize. The 3-year follow-up indicated that the patients with psoriasis concurrent with chronic opisthorchiasis had significantly decreased amplitudes of propulsive and non-propulsive waves (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) while the latter indices were significantly increased in the cured patients (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), but failing to reach the normal values. Effective dehelminthization in patients with psoriasis concurrent with chronic opisthorchiasis improved gastrointestinal function, making the course ofpsoriasis better (there were no exacerbations for 2 years).