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Updated: May 13, 2026
Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
Published on: March 1, 2024
Psoriasis plaque test with confocal microscopy: evaluation of different microscopic response pathways in NSAID and
Marco Ardigò1, Marina Agozzino, Caterina Longo
1San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy.
Background:
Pathophysiology of psoriasis is complex and characterized by microscopic, specific changes. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) provides tissue and cell morphology information in non-invasive way, generating quasi-histologic resolution. Concerning plaque psoriasis, confocal criteria have been described disclosing high agreement between RCM and conventional histology.
Objective:
We sought to evaluate the in vivo microscopic changes in plaque psoriasis occurring during treatment with two distinct actives (aceclofenac and betamethason).
Methods:
A total of 32 patients with psoriasis were recruited. Two lesions from the same body area or symmetrical were evaluated at baseline and after 3-6 weeks by RCM.
Results:
Aceclofenac induced clinical improvement in 32% of patients after 3 weeks and in 76% after 6 weeks. With betamethason, at the end of the 3rd week, the 45% of patients showed improvement that increased to 81% at the end of the study. Single confocal criteria was evaluated and results underwent to statistical analysis considering the modification of the microscopical changes during the two treatments.
Conclusion:
RCM followed the microscopic changes during treatment and enabled to differentiate effects of different actives. Although data are preliminary and based on a limited sample, aceclofenac seems to be effective in the treatment for psoriasis.
