Centro Studi GISED
Clinical Trials TEPSO®
What we do
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting almost 2% of the population. Amid the different variants of psoriasis, the palmoplantar psoriasis typically hits palms and soles.
To date there is not a definitive treatment for psoriasis. Mild forms of palmoplantar psoriasis can be treated with topical therapies, as emollients, while more severe forms usually require systemic treatments.
Physical and mechanical stress due to continuous pressure on affected areas and daily use of clothes can negatively influence the prognosis of the disease and the quality of life of the patients.
The aforesaid problems have induced the textile company Lenzi Egisto S.p.A, in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology, USL 4 Prato, Tuscany, to manufacture a specific fabric, Tepso®, composed of PTFE (trademark Profilen®), particularly suitable for the production of clothes for patients with psoriasis.
Two phase-II controlled clinical trials started in 2010, in order to evaluate the efficacy of a special sock, made with Tepso ®, versus a standard cotton sock, on the clinical improvement of palmoplantar psoriasis and palmoplantar pustulosis.
Efficacy Study of TEPSO® Socks in Improving Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Efficacy Study of TEPSO® Socks in Improving Palmoplantar Pustulosis
These trials, coordinated by Centro Studi GISED, were carried out in the Department of Dermatology, "Tor Vergata" general hospital Rome, Lazio, Italy; the Department of Dermatology, Fondazione S.Raffaele del monte Tabor, Milan, Lombardy, Italy; the Department of Dermatology, USL 4 Prato, Tuscany, Italy.
The results of the first study, completed in 2011, were published on the Journal of Dermatological Treatment. The clinical trial, performed on a limited number of patients (20), did not evidence a significant reduction of palmo-plantar psoriatic lesions; however, it showed a considerable improvement of the global satisfaction of patients regarding the side wearing the Tepso® socks, compared with the control side (1).
The second study, ended in 2012, was performed on 17 patients with chronic plantar pustulosis lasting at least one year. Patients were randomized to receive two kind of socks: one made with Tepso® and the other with standard cotton. At the end of the study an improvement in the overall satisfaction of patients regarding the side treated with Tepso® sock, compared to the control side, was observed. Results were published online in the journal Dermatology in January 2014 (2).
