[Hair growth, liver function and light sensitivity during oral retinoid therapy for psoriasis (author's transl)]

In a multicentre, cooperative study into the treatment of extensive psoriasis with a new aromatic retinoid (Ro 10--9359) trichogram, liver function tests and the light erythema threshold were investigated. In some of the patients hair loss occurred, usually in the fifth to eighth week after a total dose of 1.9 g retinoid. In all cases this improved an average of six weeks after dose reduction or cessation of treatment. The trichogram in 27 patients showed a diffuse toxic hair loss. In 70% the effluvium was telogenic, in 22% telogen-dystrophic. GPT, GOT, alkaline phosphatase and prothrombin index showed no significant alterations during retinoid treatment. However, in individual cases there was a rise in GOT and GPT up to 80 U/l. Furthermore there was a statistical tendency in rising bilirubin levels. Finally there was no evidence for an increase in light sensitivity after three weeks of retinoid treatment. Measurement of the erythema threshold showed rather more a reduction in light sensitivity under treatment.