Objective To investigate the effects of secukinumab combined with E'xian Huaban decoction on traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores and nailfold microcirculation morphology in patients with plaque psoriasis.

Methods A total of 120 patients with plaque psoriasis were selected and randomly divided into monotherapy group (n=60) and combination therapy group (n=60). The monotherapy group received secukinumab treatment, while the combination therapy group was treated with secukinumab plus E'xian Huaban Decoction. Clinical therapeutic efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores (including skin lesions, pruritus, rough skin, scales and irritability), relevant scale Psoriasisarea and Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, inflammatory factors interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-23 (IL-23) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and nailfold microcirculation morphology (loop tube morphology, blood flow state and loop periphery state) were observed in both groups.

Results The overall clinical efficacy rate in the combination therapy group was 95.00%, which was significantly higher than 83.33% in the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores (skin lesions, pruritus, rough skin, scales and irritability), inflammatory factors (IL-17, IL-23 and VEGF) levels, scale (PASI, DLQI and VAS) scores as well as loop tube morphology scores, blood flow state scores and loop periphery state scores were significantly lower compared to pre-treatment values, and these parameters were significantly lower in the combination therapy group than the monotherapy group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Secukinumab combined with E'xian Huaban Decoction can significantly improve clinical symptoms and signs, and enhancing the clinical therapeutic effect.