NCT07432815

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy versus combined methotrexate and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy in patients with psoriasis and comorbid depression and/or anxiety. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving MTX alone and the other receiving MTX plus escitalopram. Clinical outcomes will be evaluated over a 6-month period, including psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Body Surface Area (BSA), quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and psychological status using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). The study will assess whether combination therapy provides superior clinical and psychological outcomes.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
40

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for phase_4 depression

Timeline
5mo left

Started Feb 2026

Shorter than P25 for phase_4 depression

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress56%
Feb 2026Dec 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2026

Completed
17 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 18, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 25, 2026

Completed
9 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2026

Expected
29 days until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 30, 2026

Last Updated

May 5, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

February 18, 2026

Last Update Submit

April 29, 2026

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • comparison of Percentage change in PASI score from baseline to 6 months between group A and B

    6 months

  • Comparison between percentage change of BDI, BAI, Ham-A and Ham-D in groups A&B

    6 months

  • Comparison of percentage of patients who achieved PASI 75%, 90% & 100% between groups A & B

    6 months

Study Arms (2)

Methotrxate only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Methotrexate 0.4mg/kg for 6 months in psoriasis patients

Drug: Methotrexate

Methotrexate and SSRI

EXPERIMENTAL

Methotrexate 0.4mg/kg and escitalopram 10mg for 6 months in psoriasis patients

Combination Product: Combination of methotrexate and escitalopram in treatment of psoriasis patients with depression and/or anxiety

Interventions

Methotrexate 0.4mg/kg once weekly for 6 months

Methotrxate only

Combination of methotrexate and escitalopram in treatment of psoriasis patients with depression and/or anxiety

Methotrexate and SSRI

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 60 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Adults aged \>18 and \<60 years
  • Moderate to severe psoriasis (PASI ≥10 or BSA ≥10%)
  • Moderate to severe depression (BDI ≥20 or HAM-D ≥17) and/or moderate to severe anxiety (BAI ≥16 or HAM-A ≥25)

You may not qualify if:

  • Current substance abuse
  • Systemic psoriasis treatment within the past 3 months
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Hypersensitivity to methotrexate or escitalopram
  • Erythrodermic or pustular psoriasis
  • Contraindications to methotrexate (e.g., hepatic disease or malignancy)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Kasralainy

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, 11562, Egypt

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DepressionAnxiety DisordersPsoriasis

Interventions

EscitalopramMethotrexate

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehaviorMental DisordersSkin Diseases, PapulosquamousSkin DiseasesSkin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PropylaminesAminesOrganic ChemicalsNitrilesBenzofuransHeterocyclic Compounds, 2-RingHeterocyclic Compounds, Fused-RingHeterocyclic CompoundsAminopterinPterinsPteridines

Central Study Contacts

Naglaa Mohsen, Resident

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Resident

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 18, 2026

First Posted

February 25, 2026

Study Start

February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 30, 2026

Last Updated

May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations