Mediterranean Diet and Patients With Psoriasis: The MEDIPSO Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Nutritional Science
• Clinical Trial Research

Background:

• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition with limited treatment options.
• Dietary interventions, particularly the Mediterranean diet, show potential anti-inflammatory benefits relevant to psoriasis.
• Randomized clinical trials investigating dietary impacts on psoriasis are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a 16-week Mediterranean diet intervention in improving psoriasis severity.
• To assess the impact of the Mediterranean diet on patient-reported outcomes and metabolic parameters in psoriasis patients.

Main Methods:

• A randomized clinical trial (MEDIPSO) involving 38 participants with mild to moderate psoriasis.
• Participants were randomized to a 16-week dietitian-guided Mediterranean diet or a standard low-fat diet control.
• Primary outcome was the change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score; secondary outcomes included metabolic and inflammatory markers.

Main Results:

• The Mediterranean diet group showed a significant reduction in PASI scores compared to the control group (difference of -3.4, P < .001).
• Nearly half (47.4%) of the intervention group achieved PASI 75, compared to none in the control group.
• Significant improvements were observed in hemoglobin A1c levels in the Mediterranean diet group.

Conclusions:

• A 16-week Mediterranean diet intervention effectively reduces psoriasis severity in patients with mild to moderate disease.
• Dietary strategies, such as the Mediterranean diet, can be a valuable adjunctive therapy for psoriasis management.
• Further research into dietary impacts on psoriasis pathophysiology is warranted.