A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of oral itraconazole in scalp psoriasis

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the frequency with which the scalp i s affected by psoriasis and the poor response to treatment may be related t o colonization by the commensal yeast Malassezia furfur. METHODS: To test this hypothesis we have carried out a randomized, placebo- controlled trial of oral itraconazole in scalp psoriasis, A total of 28 pat ients with scalp psoriasis were randomized to receive either oral itraconaz ole 200mg daily or placebo capsules for 14 days. The primary end-point was a reduction in a site-modified PASI. RESULTS: There was no reduction in the severity of scalp involvement during the trial and no significant difference between the active and placebo gro ups. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole 200 mg daily for 14 days is not effective in the t reatment of scalp psoriasis.