Evaluation of safety and efficacy of tapinarof in the management of Psoriasis

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can impair quality of life. Tapinarof is a non-steroidal topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulator with proven efficacy in plaque psoriasis. However, evidence from Bangladesh is limited. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of topical tapinarof in patients with psoriasis. Methods: This prospective interventional study included 105 patients with psoriasis treated with topical tapinarof for 12 weeks at 250 beded General Hospital, Chandpur, Bangladesh. Disease severity was assessed using PASI, BSA, PGA, and pruritus scores at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12, while PASI50, PASI75, PASI90, and adverse events were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with p<0.05 considered significant. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: Among 105 patients, 60.0% were male and 63.8% had moderate psoriasis. At week 12, PASI, BSA, PGA, and pruritus scores significantly improved (all p<0.001). PASI50, PASI75, and PASI90 were achieved by 63.8%, 28.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. PASI75 was significantly higher in mild disease (55.6%) than moderate (26.9%) or severe disease (10.0%; p<0.001). Most patients (65.7%) reported no adverse events. Conclusion: Topical tapinarof demonstrated significant improvement in psoriasis severity over 12 weeks and was generally well tolerated. The findings support its potential as an effective non-steroidal topical treatment for psoriasis.