Uric Acid Levels in Psoriasis Vulgaris

Abstract

Allopurinol was administered to 31 patients with various forms of psoriasis, 16 being males and 15 females. The average uric acid in this group was 5.92±1.71 mg/dl, which was whithin the variation of healthy persons. Allopurinol decreased uric acid with hyperuricemia to the normal level when administration continued for 2 months. As to the course of psoriatic lesions, allopurinol produced the following results; good results in 5 cases, no change in 5 cases and worsening in 1 case. No serious side effects were observed, while 1 case showed gastrointestinal disturbances. In the discussion of hyperuricemia in psoriasis, the author considered that it depended upon the hyperproduction of uric acid in purine metabolism.