Patients with psoriatic arthritis have worse quality of life than those with psoriasis alone

Mitigation of disease- and treatment-related risks in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a part of the family of diseases referred to as spondyloarthropathies, a diverse group of chronic inflammatory disorders with common clinical, radiographic, and genetic features. Peripheral arthritis is the most common symptom of psoriatic arthritis and patients also frequently experience involvement of the entheses, spine, skin, and nails. Due to the diverse clinical spectrum of disease severity, tissues affected, and associated comorbidities, the treatment of psoriatic arthritis can be challenging and it is necessary to mitigate risks associated with both the disease and its treatment. These risks include disease-specific, treatment-related, and psychological risks. Disease-specific risks include those associated with disease progression that can limit functional status and be mitigated through early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Risks also arise from comorbidities that are associated with psoriatic arthritis such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal inflammation. Patient outcomes can be affected by the treatment strategy employed and the pharmacologic agents administered. Additionally, it is important for physicians to be aware of risks specific to each therapeutic option. The impact of psoriatic arthritis is not limited to the skin and joints and it is common for patients to experience quality-of-life impairment. Patients are also more likely to have depression, anxiety, and alcoholism. This article reviews the many risks associated with psoriatic arthritis and provides guidance on mitigating these risks.

General measures and quality of life issues in psoriasis

Psoriasis generally does not affect survival but has significant detrimental effect on quality of life (QOL), which may be comparable to that of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, depression, and cancer. The foremost important thing in the management of psoriasis is counseling of the patient. The clinician needs to be empathetic and spend adequate time with the patient and educating the patient about psoriasis. Clinicians should make it clear to the patient that the primary goal of treatment is control of the disease rather than cure. Eating a balanced and low glycemic diet could be an important adjuvant factor in the prevention and treatment of moderate nonpustular psoriasis. Obese people are more likely to have severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis than people with an average body mass index. Dietary supplementation with oily fish, rich in n-3 fatty acids, in psoriasis had shown mixed results in trials. Promising results have been documented for parenteral application of n-3 fatty acid, but not with oral supplementation. Increased smoking or alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing psoriasis and may influence disease severity, and hence must be avoided. Soaking in warm water with bath oil can be done in extensive psoriasis for hydration and emollient effect, and bland soaps or soap substitutes should be used; antiseptics should be avoided as they may irritate the skin. Relatively small, localized patches of psoriasis may improve with occlusion, i.e., waterproof adhesive dressings. The use of emollients is an internationally accepted standard adjunctive to the treatment of psoriasis. Dermatology Life Quality Index is a psychometrically sound and responsive measure of psoriasis-specific outcomes and most comprehensively captures the impact of clinical signs and symptoms on patient's well-being.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Adaptation of VITACORA-19 in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish language version of VITACORA-19 (psoriatic arthritis quality of life questionnaire) in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Patients and methods

The Turkish version of VITACORA-19 questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 61 PsA patients (22 males, 39 females; mean age 46.5±12.2 years; range 19 to 71 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish VITACORA-19, the questionnaire was reapplied 10 to 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient). Cronbach's alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. VITACORA-19 was compared with visual analog scale for physician and patient global assessments, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile for construct validity. The internal structure of VITACORA-19 was examined by factor analysis.

Results

The individual item intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.77 to 0.98 and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.98. The Cronbach's alpha value for whole scale was determined as 0.96. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.90, and Bartlett's test of sphericity had a p<0.001. Turkish VITACORA-19 total scores were correlated negatively with Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale for pain, and Nottingham Health Profile subgroups, and positively with physician and patient global assessments (p<0.01).

Conclusion

Turkish version of VITACORA-19 questionnaire is a reliable and valid measure for health-related quality of life in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment patterns and costs for anti-TNFα biologic therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Background

Real-world data regarding anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) biologic therapy use in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited; therefore, we described treatment patterns and costs of anti-TNFα therapy in PsA patients in the United States.

Methods

PsA patients (N = 990) aged ≥18 years who initiated anti-TNFα therapy were selected from MarketScan claims databases (10/1/2009 to 9/30/2010). Number of patients on first- (n = 881), second- (n = 72), or third- or greater (n = 37) line of anti-TNFα therapy, persistence, time-to-switch or modification, pharmacy and medical costs (measured per patient per month [PPPM]) for each line of therapy were observed during the 3-year follow-up.

Results

PsA patients receiving only one line of anti-TNFα therapy remained on first-line for ~17 months while those who switched to second- or third- or greater persisted on first-line for ~11 to 12 months, respectively. Time to first-line modification was longer for patients who switched to third- or greater line therapy (7 months) than those who did not switch or switched to second-line (range, ~2 to 4 months). Time-to-switch and time to first-line modification was progressively shorter with each line of therapy for patients who received third- or greater line. PPPM medical costs were higher for patients who did not switch ($322) than those who switched to second- ($167) or third- or greater ($217) line. PPPM pharmacy costs were greater for patients with third- or greater line therapy ($2539) than those who did not switch ($1985) or switched to second-line ($2045).

Conclusion

While the majority of patients received only one line of anti-TNFα therapy, a subset of patients switched to multiple lines of therapy during the 3-year follow-up period. Persistence and therapy modifications differed between these patients and those receiving only one line. Overall medical costs were highest for patients who did not switch, and pharmacy costs increased as patients switched to each new line of therapy.

Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes among Psoriasis Patients Treated with Biologics and Other Systemic Agents

Background

The risk for cardiovascular events associated with systemic therapies for psoriasis, including biologics, is unclear.

Methods

We used administrative data from Medicare 2006 through 2011 to identify psoriasis patients who initiated systemic treatments. We estimated incidence rates of hospitalized myocardial infarction, stroke, and a composite cardiovascular disease outcome, adjusting for potentially confounding factors.

Results

There were 28,878 initiations of psoriasis treatments. Rates of myocardial infarction were highest for methotrexate (10.32/1000 patient-years, 95%CI 8.55-12.46) and numerically lower for biologics. Patterns were similar for stroke and the composite cardiovascular disease outcome. After multivariable adjustment, there were no significant differences between systemic therapies for any of the outcomes studied.

Conclusions

In this cohort of predominantly older psoriasis patients, there was no elevated nor protective risk of cardiovascular or stroke events associated with systemic therapies for psoriasis compared to conventional treatments.

Pharmacogenomics of multifactorial diseases: a focus on psoriatic arthritis

This review will outline the current pharmacogenomics knowledge about psoriatic arthritis with a special attention to the perspectives and the challenges for its implementation in the clinical practice. To date, different drugs have been developed to contrast the symptoms and the progression of psoriatic arthritis. However, patients have shown high variability of drug response in relation to their genetic makeup. In this context, the advances made in the knowledge and the potentialities of genome-drugs associations paved the path for the development of a precision medicine. In fact, these associations may be successfully combined with the environment information to provide new strategies able to prevent and improve the disease management as well as to enhance the patients quality of life.

Quality of life and severity of skin changes in the dynamics of psoriasis

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with periods of recurrence and remission. The skin changes which are typical of this disease can have a considerable effect on the patient's psychological state, self-esteem and body image. It can also affect the patient's functioning in all areas of life and quality of life.

AIM

The present study characterized the patient needs to improve the quality of life in specified areas in patients depending on the severity of psoriatic changes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted in two stages on 100 patients aged from 18 to 66. A dermatological examination was conducted in stage one. Patients' dermatological condition was assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Clinical and socio-economic information was collected in stage two using a questionnaire, a medical interview and a standardized questionnaire measuring quality of life, the WHOQOL-BREF.

RESULTS

The following factors had the greatest effect on the general quality of life and quality of health ratings in the studied sample: severity of psoriatic changes, duration of the most recent recurrence and sex. Severity of psoriatic changes had a negative effect on the patient's somatic, psychological, environmental and social functioning. Duration of the most recent recurrence had a negative effect on social functioning. Practical implications of this study allow dermatologists to determine the appropriate therapeutic intervention which improves the quality of life of these patients on the one hand, and will increase patient's involvement in the process of treatment on the other hand.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality of life is more impaired by more severe chronic skin disease.

Safety and efficacy of adalimumab treatment in Japanese patients with psoriasis: Results of SALSA study

The safety and efficacy of adalimumab were evaluated over 24 weeks in Japanese patients with psoriasis in routine clinical practice. In this multicenter, observational, open‐label, postmarketing study, primary efficacy measures included the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in all patients with psoriasis. In patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the 28‐joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and the visual analog scale (VAS) pain were also evaluated. Safety was assessed based on the frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADR). Among patients with psoriasis evaluated for efficacy (n = 604), significant improvements from baseline were observed in mean PASI and DLQI scores at weeks 16 and 24 (all P < 0.0001). Furthermore, in psoriasis patients without PsA, the PASI 75/90 response rates were 55.9%/28.4% at week 16 (n = 306) and 65.6%/43.3% at week 24 (n = 270), respectively. In patients with PsA evaluable for effectiveness, significant improvements from baseline were observed in PASI, DAS28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate, DAS28 C‐reactive protein and VAS pain at weeks 16 and 24 (all P < 0.0001). ADR and serious ADR were reported by 26.1% and 3.3%, respectively, of 731 safety evaluable patients with psoriasis; no unexpected safety findings were noted. The safety profile and effectiveness of adalimumab for the treatment of psoriasis in a routine clinical setting were as expected in Japanese patients.

An evidence-based review of certolizumab pegol in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis: place in therapy

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is a pegylated humanized tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi) approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Europe, the USA, and Latin American countries. CZP neutralizes TNF-α at its soluble and membrane portions. Due to the lack of Fc region, it does not induce complement or antibody-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro, unlike other TNFi. RAPID-PsA study, the only randomized clinical trial performed in PsA, is a Phase III clinical trial conducted in 409 PsA patients during 24 weeks. Patients were randomized to CZP (200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks) or placebo. Patients in CZP arms reported improvements in skin disease, joint involvement, dactylitis, enthesitis, and quality of life. Safety profile was similar to that reported for other TNF-α inhibitors in PsA patients. This article summarizes the pharmacology and reviews the efficacy and tolerability of this drug in PsA. CZP is the newest TNFi with proved efficacy in all manifestations of psoriasis disease, except for axial involvement where the evidence has been derived from response to axial spondyloarthritis.

Systematic literature review of domains assessed in psoriatic arthritis to inform the update of the psoriatic arthritis core domain set

The objectives of this systematic literature review (SLR) were to identify domains and outcome measures used in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) studies in the past 5 years, and to compare the measurement of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 2006 PsA Core Domain Set in studies published in 2010–2015 vs those published in 2006–2010. We performed a systematic literature search in two databases, PubMed and Embase, to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in PsA. We also identified PsA longitudinal observational studies (LOS). Three patient research partners provided input into study conception, and data collection and interpretation. We identified 41 studies representing 22 unique RCTs, 27 LOS and 12 registries. Across all studies, we identified 24 domains and 169 outcome measures. In addition to the PsA Core Domain Set (6 domains), the following domains were also assessed in more than 30% of RCTs: acute phase reactants, dactylitis, enthesitis, fatigue and work productivity. We identified a range of 1–15 outcome measures per domain with a mean (SD) of 7 (4.7) per domain. The complete PsA Core Domain Set was assessed in 59% of RCTs in 2010–2015 compared to 23.5% RCTs in 2006–2010. There has been increased measurement of the PsA Core Domain Set in RCTs and LOS in the past 5 years. Numerous additional outcomes were also measured. The PsA Core Domain Set needs an update to standardise PsA outcome assessments. This SLR will inform the development of an updated PsA Core Domain Set with patient research partner input.

Psoriatic Arthritis and Burden of Disease: Patient Perspectives from the Population-Based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) Survey

INTRODUCTION

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is underdiagnosed and has a substantial impact on quality of life, disability, and work productivity. The population-based Multinational Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (MAPP) survey examined the impact of PsA on patients' activities of daily living and unmet treatment needs.

METHODS

This large-scale, random digit dialing, telephone survey of patients self-reporting a diagnosis of psoriasis and/or PsA was conducted in North America and Europe.

RESULTS

In all, 3426 patients participated in the survey, including 712 (21%) who identified themselves as having PsA. Over half of the patients reported severe PsA involving more than four joints. Eighty-three percent of patients with PsA visited a health-care provider within the past 12 months. Approximately one-quarter saw their primary care provider or dermatologist most often for their disease; 37% responded that their rheumatologist was the health-care provider seen most often for PsA. Patients with PsA reported a substantial impact of disease on physical function. One-third of patients with PsA reported missing work because of their disease and PsA impacted their ability to work full time. Over half of the patients with PsA (58%) reported receiving no treatment or topical therapy only, leaving their joint disease untreated. Factors associated with lack of adherence were perceived lack of efficacy and concerns about long-term safety.

CONCLUSIONS

The MAPP survey confirms that PsA has a significant impact on physical function and activities of daily living. Undertreatment of PsA suggests a need for improved screening and diagnosis as well as education about treatment options and adherence.

FUNDING

Celgene Corporation.

Improvement in Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms Assessed by the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory with Brodalumab Treatment in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objective.

To evaluate the effect of brodalumab on psoriasis signs and symptoms assessed by the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods.

This prespecified analysis of a phase II study (NCT01516957) evaluated patients with active PsA and psoriasis-affected body surface area ≥ 3%, randomized to brodalumab (140 or 280 mg) or placebo every 2 weeks (Q2W) for 12 weeks with loading dose at Week 1. At Week 12, patients entering an open-label extension received brodalumab 280 mg Q2W. The PSI measures 8 psoriasis signs and symptoms: itch, redness, scaling, burning, stinging, cracking, flaking, and pain. PSI response is defined as total PSI ≤ 8 (range 0–32), each item ≤ 1 (range 0–4). PSI scores were assessed at weeks 12 and 24.

Results.

There were 107 eligible patients. At Week 12, mean improvement in PSI scores was 7.8, 11.2, and 1.5 in brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo groups, respectively; by Week 24, improvement was 10.2, 12.4, and 11.7. At Week 12, 75.0%, 81.8%, and 16.7% of patients receiving brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo, respectively, achieved PSI response; improvement was sustained through Week 24, when 83.9% of prior placebo recipients achieved response. At Week 12, 25.0%, 36.4%, and 2.8% of patients receiving brodalumab 140 mg, 280 mg, and placebo, respectively, achieved PSI 0. Percentages improved through Week 24: 40.0% brodalumab 140 mg, 42.9% brodalumab 280 mg, and 48.4% placebo.

Conclusion.

Significantly more brodalumab-treated patients with PsA achieved patient-reported improvements in psoriasis signs and symptoms than did those receiving placebo. Improvements were comparable between brodalumab groups.

Treatment patterns and annual biologic costs in US veterans with rheumatic conditions or psoriasis

OBJECTIVE

To determine annual biologic drug and administration costs to the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) per treated patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who received abatacept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab, or ustekinumab.

METHODS

Adults with at least one biologic claim between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011 were included. Evidence of enrollment in the VHA was required from 365 days before (pre-index) to 360 days after (post-index) the date of the first biologic claim (index date). Included patients had pre-index diagnoses of RA, PsO, PsA, and/or AS. Drug costs were from Federal Supply Schedule or 'Big Four' in November 2014. Administration costs were VHA fixed costs for infused ($169) and subcutaneous ($25) biologics.

RESULTS

Of the 20,465 patients in the analysis, 10,711 received etanercept, 7838 received adalimumab, and 1196 received infliximab as the index biologic. In these patients, across all uses studied, the VHA incurred greater annual cost per treated patient for infliximab ($18,066) compared with adalimumab ($16,523) and etanercept ($16,526). In the first year post-index, ∼80% of patients were either persistent on these index biologics or re-started these index biologics after a ≥45-day treatment gap. Other biologics comprised <5% of the study population, with sample sizes ranging from 3-374 patients each. Cost by indication for biologics used by >20 patients ranged from $15,056 (etanercept) to $17,050 (abatacept) for RA; $16,697 (adalimumab) to $33,163 (ustekinumab) for PsO; $15,035 (etanercept) to $20,465 (infliximab) for PsA; and $14,239 (etanercept) to $18,536 (infliximab) for AS.

LIMITATIONS

The model was limited to the VHA. Results for biologics other than adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab were difficult to interpret because of small sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab has higher cost to the VHA than adalimumab or etanercept.

An indirect comparison and cost per responder analysis of adalimumab, methotrexate and apremilast in the treatment of methotrexate-naïve patients with psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Apremilast was recently approved for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, no studies compare apremilast with methotrexate or biologic therapies, so its relative comparative efficacy remains unknown. This study compared the response rates and incremental costs per responder associated with methotrexate, apremilast, and biologics for the treatment of active PsA.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed to identify phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trials of approved biologics, methotrexate, and apremilast in the methotrexate-naïve PsA population. Using Bayesian methods, a network meta-analysis was conducted to indirectly compare rates of achieving a ≥20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology component scores (ACR20). The number needed to treat (NNT) and the incremental costs per ACR20 responder (2014 US$) relative to placebo were estimated for each of the therapies.

RESULTS

Three trials (MIPA for methotrexate, PALACE-4 for apremilast, and ADEPT for adalimumab) met all inclusion criteria. The NNTs relative to placebo were 2.63 for adalimumab, 6.69 for apremilast, and 8.31 for methotrexate. Among methotrexate-naïve PsA patients, the 16 week incremental costs per ACR20 responder were $3622 for methotrexate, $26,316 for adalimumab, and $45,808 for apremilast. The incremental costs per ACR20 responder were $222,488 for apremilast vs. methotrexate.

CONCLUSION

Among methotrexate-naive PsA patients, adalimumab was found to have the lowest NNT for one additional ACR20 response and methotrexate was found to have the lowest incremental costs per ACR20 responder. There was no statistical evidence of greater efficacy for apremilast vs. methotrexate. A head-to-head trial between apremilast and methotrexate is recommended to confirm this finding.

Secukinumab, a human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriatic arthritis (FUTURE 2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Interleukin 17A is a proinflammatory cytokine that is implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. We assessed the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous secukinumab, a human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

METHODS

In this phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled study undertaken at 76 centres in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the USA, adults (aged ≥18 years old) with active psoriatic arthritis were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1:1 ratio with computer-generated blocks to receive subcutaneous placebo or secukinumab 300 mg, 150 mg, or 75 mg once a week from baseline and then every 4 weeks from week 4. Patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving at least 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at week 24. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01752634.

FINDINGS

Between April 14, and Nov 25, 2013, 397 patients were randomly assigned to receive secukinumab 300 mg (n=100), 150 mg (n=100), 75 mg (n=99), or placebo (n=98). A significantly higher proportion of patients achieved an ACR20 at week 24 with secukinumab 300 mg (54 [54%] patients; odds ratio versus placebo 6·81, 95% CI 3·42-13·56; p<0·0001), 150 mg (51 [51%] patients; 6·52, 3·25-13·08; p<0·0001), and 75 mg (29 [29%] patients; 2·32, 1·14-4·73; p=0·0399) versus placebo (15 [15%] patients). Up to week 16, the most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infections (four [4%], eight [8%], ten [10%], and seven [7%] with secukinumab 300 mg, 150 mg, 75 mg, and placebo, respectively) and nasopharyngitis (six [6%], four [4%], six [6%], and eight [8%], respectively). Serious adverse events were reported by five (5%), one (1%), and four (4%) patients in the secukinumab 300 mg, 150 mg, and 75 mg groups, respectively, compared with two (2%) in the placebo group. No deaths were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Subcutaneous secukinumab 300 mg and 150 mg improved the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, suggesting that secukinumab is a potential future treatment option for patients with this disorder.

FUNDING

Novartis.

Identifying a novel locus for psoriatic arthritis

A number of studies have identified genetic risk loci for PsA, the majority of which also confer risk for psoriasis. The stronger heritability of PsA in comparison with psoriasis suggests that there should be risk loci that are specific for PsA. Identifying such loci could potentially inform therapy development to provide more effective treatments for PsA patients, especially with a considerable proportion being non-responsive to current therapies. Evidence of a PsA-specific locus has been previously found at HLA-B27 within the MHC region. A recent study has provided evidence of non-HLA risk loci that are specific for PsA at IL23R, PTPN22 and on chromosome 5q31. Functional characterization of these loci will provide further understanding of the pathways underlying PsA, and enable us to apply genetic findings for patient benefit.

The Budget Impact of Biosimilar Infliximab (Remsima®) for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases in Five European Countries

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis) have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life and healthcare budgets. Biosimilar infliximab (Remsima(®)) has been authorized by the European Medicines Agency for the management of inflammatory autoimmune diseases based on a data package demonstrating efficacy, safety, and quality comparable to the reference infliximab product (Remicade(®)). This analysis aims to estimate the 1-year budget impact of the introduction of Remsima in five European countries.

METHODS

A budget impact model for the introduction of Remsima in Germany, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium was developed over a 1-year time horizon. Infliximab-naïve and switch patient groups were considered. Only direct drug costs were included. The model used the drug-acquisition cost of Remicade. The list price of Remsima was not known at the time of the analysis, and was assumed to be 10-30% less than that of Remicade. Key variables were tested in the sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

The annual cost savings resulting from the introduction of Remsima were projected to range from €2.89 million (Belgium, 10% discount) to €33.80 million (Germany, 30% discount). If any such savings made were used to treat additional patients with Remsima, 250 (Belgium, 10% discount) to 2602 (Germany, 30% discount) additional patients could be treated. The cumulative cost savings across the five included countries and the six licensed disease areas were projected to range from €25.79 million (10% discount) to €77.37 million (30% discount). Sensitivity analyses showed the number of patients treated with infliximab to be directly correlated with projected cost savings, with disease prevalence and patient weight having a smaller impact, and incidence the least impact.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of Remsima could lead to considerable drug cost-related savings across the six licensed disease areas in the five European countries.

FUNDING

Mundipharma International Ltd.

Psoriatic arthritis for the dermatologist

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy that affects approximately one-third of patients with all types of psoriasis. Dermatologists are in a unique position to recognize early symptoms of PsA, initiate appropriate therapy, and prevent development of further disability. The course of PsA can be modulated by immunosuppressive therapy; patients with moderate-to-severe disease require aggressive management with medications proven to halt disease progression. It is essential for the dermatologist to understand the safety, tolerability, efficacy, cost, and potential to halt disease progression with available medications for this relatively common and potentially disabling disease.

A systematic literature review to compare quality of life in psoriasis with other chronic diseases using EQ-5D-derived utility values

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated dermatological disease associated with substantial economic, clinical, and humanistic burden.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand the disutility of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, using mean baseline EuroQoL five dimensions (EQ-5D) index scores reported in the published literature, and to compare this to patients with other chronic diseases.

METHODS

Two systematic literature searches were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were conducted in ten databases including Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The first search (December 2013) used search terms psoria* AND (EQ5D OR EQ OR EUROQoL). Only publications of original research, which reported baseline EQ-5D scores for mild/moderate/severe psoriasis, were included. The second search (March 2014) used the terms (systematic review) AND (EQ5D OR EQ 5D OR EuroQoL). Titles were screened by two independent reviewers. Four independent reviewers reviewed titles and full-length papers. EQ-5D scores for psoriasis patients were qualitatively compared with scores from patients with other chronic diseases identified through the literature search.

RESULTS

Of 133 publications on psoriasis, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The mean EQ-5D index scores for psoriasis (all severities) ranged from 0.52 (standard deviation: 0.39) to 0.9 (standard deviation: 0.1). Of the 48 results from the second search, six met the inclusion criteria. The reported EQ-5D lower limit for other diseases ranged from 0.20 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus) to 0.66 (liver diseases). The highest EQ-5D estimates for other diseases ranged from 0.79 (liver diseases) to 0.93 (cancer patients). Both lower and upper EQ-5D estimates in psoriasis patients were within the range of those reported for other chronic diseases.

CONCLUSION

Comparative studies of morbidity are relevant in health care studies and patient advocacy. This systematic review demonstrates that the ranges of disutility among psoriasis patients are within the ranges of other chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, end-stage renal diseases, liver diseases, cancer, and visual disorders).

A multicenter, non-interventional study to evaluate patient-reported experiences of living with psoriasis

Background: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (with or without psoriatic arthritis) places significant burden on patients’ lives. Objective: Explore and document patients’ experiences of living with psoriasis, including symptoms, treatments, impact on daily lives and patient-reported functioning. Methods: In a US-based, non-interventional study, narrative interviews were conducted at baseline and again within 16 weeks. In interviews, patients with moderate to severe psoriasis indicated symptoms, ranked symptoms according to level of bother and indicated areas of their lives affected by psoriasis. Transcripts of interviews were coded for themes. Measurements of psoriasis severity including BSA, PGA and PASI were recorded. Results: Symptoms reported most frequently included flaking/scaling (non-scalp areas), itching/scratching and rash, while the most bothersome symptoms were itching/scratching, flaking/scaling (non-scalp areas) and skin pain. Frequently reported impact areas were social and emotional. Conclusion: Broad-reaching interviews with patients with psoriasis show that these patients suffer in many aspects of their lives and in ways not indicated by typical psoriasis severity measures. Patients with psoriatic arthritis reported symptoms and disease-related complications at higher rates than those without arthritis. Physicians’ explorations of the effect of psoriasis on patients’ life events could aid in managing these patients.

Economic and comorbidity burden among moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients with comorbid psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of comorbidities, health care utilization, and costs between moderate-to-severe psoriasis (PsO) patients with comorbid psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and matched controls.

METHODS

Adults ages 18-64 years with concomitant diagnoses of PsO and PsA (PsO+PsA) were identified in the OptumHealth Reporting and Insights claims database between January 2007 and March 2012. Moderate-to-severe PsO was defined based on the use of at least one systemic or phototherapy during the 12-month study period after the index date (randomly selected date after the first PsO diagnosis). Control patients without PsO and PsA were demographically matched 1:1 with PsO+PsA patients. Multivariate regressions were employed to examine PsO/PsA-related comorbidities, medications, health care utilization, and costs between PsO+PsA patients and controls, adjusting for demographics, index year, insurance type, and non-PsO/PsA-related comorbidities.

RESULTS

Among 1,230 matched pairs of PsO+PsA patients and controls, PsO+PsA patients had significantly more PsO/PsA-related comorbidities, with the top 3 most common in both groups being hypertension (35.8% versus 23.5%), hyperlipidemia (34.6% versus 28.5%), and diabetes mellitus (15.9% versus 10.0%). Compared with controls, PsO+PsA patients had a higher number of distinct prescriptions filled (incidence rate ratio 2.3, P < 0.05); were more likely to have inpatient admissions (odds ratio [OR] 1.6), emergency room visits (OR 1.3), and outpatient visits (OR 62.7) (all P < 0.05); and incurred significantly higher total, pharmacy, and medical costs (adjusted annual cost differences per patient $23,160, $17,696, and $5,077, respectively; all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Compared with matched PsO- and PsA-free controls, moderate-to-severe PsO patients with comorbid PsA had higher comorbidity and health care utilization and costs.

PTPN22 is associated with susceptibility to psoriatic arthritis but not psoriasis: evidence for a further PsA-specific risk locus

Objectives

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis; it has a higher estimated genetic component than psoriasis alone, however most genetic susceptibility loci identified for PsA to date are also shared with psoriasis. Here we attempt to validate novel single nucleotide polymorphisms selected from our recent PsA Immunochip study and determine specificity to PsA.

Methods

A total of 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected (P_Immunochip <1×10⁻⁴) for validation genotyping in 1177 cases and 2155 controls using TaqMan. Meta-analysis of Immunochip and validation data sets consisted of 3139 PsA cases and 11 078 controls. Novel PsA susceptibility loci were compared with data from two large psoriasis studies (WTCCC2 and Immunochip) to determine PsA specificity.

Results

We found genome-wide significant association to rs2476601, mapping to PTPN22 (p=1.49×10⁻⁹, OR=1.32), but no evidence for association in the psoriasis cohort (p=0.34) and the effect estimates were significantly different between PsA and psoriasis (p=3.2×10⁻⁴). Additionally, we found genome-wide significant association to the previously reported psoriasis risk loci; NOS2 (rs4795067, p=5.27×10⁻⁹).

Conclusions

For the first time, we report genome-wide significant association of PTPN22 (rs2476601) to PsA susceptibility, but no evidence for association to psoriasis.

2014 Update of the Canadian Rheumatology Association/Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Treatment Recommendations for the Management of Spondyloarthritis. Part I: Principles of the Management of Spondyloarthritis in Canada

Objective.

The Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) have collaborated to update the recommendations for the management of spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods.

A working group was assembled and consisted of the SPARCC executive committee, rheumatologist leaders from SPARCC collaborating sites, Canadian rheumatologists from across the country with an interest in SpA (both academic and community), a rheumatology trainee with an interest in SpA, an epidemiologist/health services researcher, a member of the CRA executive, a member of the CRA therapeutics committee, and a patient representative from the Canadian Spondylitis Association. An extensive review was conducted of literature published from 2007 to 2014 involving the management of SpA. The working group created draft recommendations using multiple rounds of Web-based surveys and an in-person conference. A survey was sent to the membership of the CRA to obtain an extended review that was used to finalize the recommendations.

Results.

Guidelines for the management of SpA were created. Part I focuses on the principles of management of SpA in Canada and includes 6 general management principles, 5 ethical considerations, target groups for treatment recommendations, 2 wait time recommendations, and recommendations for disease monitoring. Also included are 6 modifications for application to juvenile SpA.

Conclusion.

These recommendations were developed based on current literature and applied to a Canadian healthcare context. It is hoped that the implementation of these recommendations will promote best practices in the treatment of SpA.

Dense genotyping of immune-related susceptibility loci reveals new insights into the genetics of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis and, despite the larger estimated heritability for PsA, the majority of genetic susceptibility loci identified to date are shared with psoriasis. Here, we present results from a case-control association study on 1,962 PsA patients and 8,923 controls using the Immunochip genotyping array. We identify eight loci passing genome-wide significance, secondary independent effects at three loci and a distinct PsA-specific variant at the IL23R locus. We report two novel loci and evidence of a novel PsA-specific association at chromosome 5q31. Imputation of classical HLA alleles, amino acids and SNPs across the MHC region highlights three independent associations to class I genes. Finally, we find an enrichment of associated variants to markers of open chromatin in CD8(+) memory primary T cells. This study identifies key insights into the genetics of PsA that could begin to explain fundamental differences between psoriasis and PsA.

Quantifying harmful effects of psoriatic diseases on quality of life: Cardio-metabolic outcomes in psoriatic arthritis study (COMPASS)

OBJECTIVE

Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis suffer from concurrent psoriatic arthritis, and both the diseases have worse quality-of-life outcomes compared to the general population. There is limited literature comparing quality-of-life outcomes between these diseases. We seek to compare quality-of-life outcomes between both these groups.

METHODS

The current study is a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of 252 patients with psoriatic diseases, who were recruited from 2 tertiary-care centers. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic and validated quality-of-life data using short form-12 (SF 12), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to compare the quality-of-life outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 107 (42.5%) psoriatic arthritis and 145 (57.5%) psoriasis patients in the cohort. The groups had comparable gender distribution and co-morbid diseases prevalence, but arthritis patients were older and received biologics/DMARDs more frequently than psoriasis patients. The physical indices (identified by HAQ and SF 12 PCS) were worse for psoriatic arthritis, whereas the mental/psychometric indices (identified by DLQI and SF 12 MCS) were comparable between both the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite aggressive therapy, physical quality of life was worse in psoriatic arthritis patients compared to psoriasis patients. The mental quality-of-life indices were comparable in both the groups and were still below the population norm. These results suggest need for screening for psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis to reduce the burden of physical quality of life and screening for early signs of psychiatric illnesses in both these disease populations.

The dermatologists' role in managing psoriatic arthritis: results of a Swiss Delphi exercise intended to improve collaboration with rheumatologists

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) substantially impacts the management of psoriatic disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to generate an interdisciplinary national consensus on recommendations of how PsA should be managed.

METHODS

Based on a systematic literature search, an interdisciplinary expert group identified important domains and went through 3 rounds of a Delphi exercise, followed by a nominal group discussion to generate specific recommendations.

RESULTS

A strong consensus was reached on numerous central messages regarding the impact of PsA, screening procedures, organization of the interaction between dermatologists and rheumatologists, and treatment goals.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations can serve as a template for similar initiatives in other countries. At the same time, they highlight the need to take into account the impact of the respective national health care system.

Improvements in productivity at paid work and within the household, and increased participation in daily activities after 24 weeks of certolizumab pegol treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis: results of a phase 3 double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of certolizumab pegol (CZP) on productivity outside and within the home, and on participation in family, social and leisure activities in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

RAPID-PsA (NCT01087788) is a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 409 patients with active PsA were randomised 1:1:1 to placebo, CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or CZP 400 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W). The arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey (WPS) assessed the impact of PsA on paid work and household productivity, and participation in social activities during the preceding month. WPS responses were compared between treatment arms using a non-parametric bootstrap-t method.

RESULTS

At baseline, 56.6%, 60.1% and 61.5% of placebo, CZP 200 mg Q2W and CZP 400 mg Q4W patients were employed. By week 24, employed CZP patients reported an average of 1.0-1.8 and 3.0-3.9 fewer days of absenteeism and presenteeism, respectively, per month compared with 1.0 and 0.3 fewer days for placebo patients (p<0.05). Within the home, by week 24, CZP patients reported an average of 3.0-3.5 household work days gained per month versus 1.0 day for placebo (p<0.05). CZP patients also reported fewer days with reduced household productivity or days lost for participation in family, social and leisure activities. Improvements with CZP were seen as early as week 4 and continued to week 24.

CONCLUSIONS

CZP treatment significantly improved productivity at paid work and within the home, and resulted in greater participation in social activities for PsA patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01087788.

Effect of certolizumab pegol on multiple facets of psoriatic arthritis as reported by patients: 24-week patient-reported outcome results of a phase III, multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of certolizumab pegol (CZP) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with and without prior tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor exposure.

METHODS

The ongoing phase III RAPID-PsA trial was double blind and placebo controlled to week 24. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to placebo every 2 weeks or CZP 400 mg at weeks 0, 2, and 4, followed by either CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks or CZP 400 mg every 4 weeks. PRO measures evaluated were the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index (DI), health status (measured by the Short Form 36 [SF-36] health survey), Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQOL), Fatigue Assessment Scale, patient assessment of pain (visual analog scale), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Post hoc analyses of PROs in patients with and without prior TNF inhibitor exposure were conducted. Change from baseline for all PROs was analyzed for the randomized population using analysis of covariance with last observation carried forward imputation.

RESULTS

A total of 409 patients were randomized. Twenty percent had received a prior TNF inhibitor. Baseline demographics were similar between the treatment groups. At week 24, clinically meaningful differences in HAQ DI, SF-36, PsAQOL, fatigue, pain, and DLQI were observed in both CZP arms versus placebo (P < 0.001), irrespective of prior TNF inhibitor exposure. More CZP-treated patients reached SF-36 general population norms than placebo-treated patients.

CONCLUSION

Both CZP dosing schedules provided rapid improvements in PROs across multiple disease aspects in patients with PsA. The benefits of CZP treatment for health-related quality of life were seen across generic, PsA-specific, and dermatology-specific measures and were observed in patients regardless of prior TNF inhibitor exposure.

A novel, short, and simple screening questionnaire can suggest presence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients in a dermatology clinic

Delaying diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can lead to poor quality of life and disability. The purpose of this study is to identify simple questions for dermatologists to screen psoriasis patients for psoriatic arthritis. Data regarding psoriasis and arthritis were prospectively collected by a questionnaire from all psoriasis patients. Patients with joint-related symptoms were assessed by a rheumatologist for the presence of PsA. Retrospectively, the sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values, likelihood ratios, and posttest probabilities of various screening questions were calculated to identify the best combination of parameters. Of 517 patients seen in dermatology clinic, 117 (22.63 %) were found to have PsA. Four screening questions ("Do you have a history of joint pain or swelling?" "Do you have stiffness in the morning?" "Have you had X-rays taken of your joints?" "Do you have PsA?") with psoriatic nail changes demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for predicting PsA. A cutoff of three out of these five parameters correctly classified patients with and without PsA with 86.9 % sensitivity, 71.3 % specificity, 53 % positive predictive value (PPV), 93.6 % negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87. Likelihood ratios for individual parameters varied between1.6 and 3.7, and with a combination of certain parameters, the posttest probability of PsA was 76 %. This is a preliminary data on a potential screening questionnaire which can help dermatologists quickly screen for PsA. All patients not having evaluated by a rheumatologist could have led to underdiagnosis of PsA and potential misclassification. Psoriasis patients seen at a specialty clinic may introduce a referral bias.

Depression and Anxiety in Psoriatic Disease: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objective.

(1) To determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to identify associated demographic and disease-related factors. (2) To determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of depression and anxiety between patients with PsA and those with psoriasis without PsA (PsC).

Methods.

Consecutive patients attending PsA and dermatology clinics were assessed for depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Patients underwent a clinical assessment according to a standard protocol and completed questionnaires assessing their health and quality of life. T tests, ANOVA, and univariate and multivariate models were used to compare depression and anxiety prevalence between patient cohorts and to determine factors associated with depression and anxiety.

Results.

We assessed 306 patients with PsA and 135 with PsC. There were significantly more men in the PsA group (61.4% vs 48% with PsC) and they were more likely to be unemployed. The prevalence of both anxiety and depression was higher in patients with PsA (36.6% and 22.2%, respectively) compared to those with PsC (24.4% and 9.6%; p = 0.012, 0.002). Depression and/or anxiety were associated with unemployment, female sex, and higher actively inflamed joint count as well as disability, pain, and fatigue. In the multivariate reduced model, employment was protective for depression (OR 0.36) and a 1-unit increase on the fatigue severity scale was associated with an increased risk of depression (OR 1.5).

Conclusion.

The rate of depression and anxiety is significantly higher in patients with PsA than in those with PsC. Depression and anxiety are associated with disease-related factors.

Is the health-related quality of life and functional status of patients with psoriatic arthritis worse than that of patients with psoriasis alone?

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life and functional status of patients with psoriasis (Ps), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and control subjects.

METHOD

Eighty patients with PsA, 40 patients with Ps and 40 healthy subjects were included. Physical functions were evaluated with the Health Assessment Questionnaire for Spondyloarthropathies (HAQ-S) while life satisfaction was evaluated with the Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQoL) questionnaire. The Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Disease Activity Index for the Assessment of Reactive Arthritis (DAREA), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP), Maastrich Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) and visual analog scale-pain were calculated.

RESULTS

The HAQ-S data revealed that physical functional status in the PsA group was worse than the Ps and control groups (mean scores: 0.5 ± 0.5, 0.2 ± 0.5 and 0.1 ± 0.3, respectively). The PsAQoL data revealed a worse quality of life in the PsA and Ps groups than in the control group but the same quality of life in the PsA and Ps groups (mean scores: 6.9 ± 5.4, 7 ± 5.9 and 3.3 ± 4.2, respectively). Both the HAQ-S and PsAQoL data were found to be moderately to weakly correlated with disease activity measures (DAS28, DAREA, BASDAI, ASDAS-CRP), pain and enthesitis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with Ps and PsA had worse quality of life and patients with PsA had worse functional status than healthy individuals. Although Ps patients with arthritis had a worse functional status than the ones without arthritis, quality of life according to PSAQoL was found to be similar between them.

Systematic review, network meta-analysis and economic evaluation of biological therapy for the management of active psoriatic arthritis

BACKGROUND

An updated economic evaluation was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of the four tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab in active, progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) where response to standard treatment has been inadequate.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant, recently published studies and the new trial data were synthesised, via a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA), to estimate the relative efficacy of the TNF-α inhibitors in terms of Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC) response, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). A previously developed economic model was updated with the new meta-analysis results and current cost data. The model was adapted to delineate patients by PASI 50%, 75% and 90% response rates to differentiate between psoriasis outcomes.

RESULTS

All four licensed TNF-α inhibitors were significantly more effective than placebo in achieving PsARC response in patients with active PsA. Adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab were significantly more effective than placebo in improving HAQ scores in patients who had achieved a PsARC response and in improving HAQ scores in PsARC non-responders. In an analysis using 1,000 model simulations, on average etanercept was the most cost-effective treatment and, at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence willingness-to-pay threshold of between £20,000 to £30,000, etanercept is the preferred option.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic analysis agrees with the conclusions from the previous models, in that biologics are shown to be cost-effective for treating patients with active PsA compared with the conventional management strategy. In particular, etanercept is cost-effective compared with the other biologic treatments.

Nail Psoriasis, the unknown burden of disease

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis can be found at several different localizations which may be of various impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). One of the easy visible, and difficult to conceal localizations are the nails.

OBJECTIVE

To achieve more insight into the QoL of psoriatic patients with nail psoriasis, and to characterize the patients with nail involvement which are more prone to the impact of the nail alterations caused by psoriasis.

METHOD

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all members (n = 5400) of the Dutch Psoriasis Association. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Nail Psoriasis Quality of life 10 (NPQ10) score were included as QoL measures. Severity of cutaneous lesions was determined using the self-administered psoriasis area and severity index (SAPASI).

RESULTS

Patients with nail psoriasis scored significantly higher mean scores on the DLQI (4.9 vs. 3.7, P = <0.001) and showed more severe psoriasis (SAPASI, 6.6 vs. 5.3, P = <0.001). Patients with coexistence of nail bed and nail matrix features showed higher DLQI scores compared with patients with involvement of one of the two localizations exclusively (5.3 vs. 4.2 vs. 4.3, P = 0.003). Patients with only nail bed alterations scored significant higher NPQ10 scores when compared with patients with only nail matrix features. Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and nail psoriasis experiences more impairments compared with nail psoriasis patients without PsA (DLQI 5.5 vs. 4.3, NPQ10 13.3 vs. 7.0). Females scored higher mean scores on all QoL scores.

CONCLUSION

Greater attention should be paid to the possible impact nail abnormalities have on patients with nail psoriasis, which can be identified by nail psoriasis specific questionnaires such as the NPQ10. As improving the severity of disease may have a positive influence on QoL, the outcome of QoL measurements should be taken into account when deciding on treatment strategies.

Burden of disease: psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) increases the disease burden associated with psoriasis by further diminishing quality of life, increasing health care costs and cardiovascular risk, and potentially causing progressive joint damage. The presence of PsA influences psoriasis treatment by increasing overall disease complexity and, within the framework of current guidelines and recommendations, requiring the use of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors in order to prevent progressive joint damage. Despite its important impact, PsA is still under-diagnosed in dermatology practice. Dermatologists are well positioned to recognize and treat PsA, given that it characteristically presents, on average, 10 years subsequent to the appearance of skin symptoms. Regular screening of psoriasis patients for early evident joint symptoms should be incorporated into daily dermatologic practice. Although drugs effective in PsA are available, not all patients may respond to treatment, and others may lose their initial response over time. New investigational therapies, such as inhibitors of interleukin-17A, interleukin-12/23, Janus kinase 3, or phosphodiesterase-4, may address unmet needs in psoriatic disease, with further research needed to determine the role of these agents in reducing joint damage and other comorbidities.

The bacterial skin microbiome in psoriatic arthritis, an unexplored link in pathogenesis: challenges and opportunities offered by recent technological advances

The resident microbial community, harboured by humans in sites such as the skin and gastrointestinal tract, is enormous, representing a candidate environmental factor affecting susceptibility to complex diseases, where both genetic and environmental risk factors are important. The potential of microorganisms to influence the human immune system is considerable, given their ubiquity. The impact of the host-gene-microbe interaction on the maintenance of health and the development of disease has not yet been assessed robustly in chronic inflammatory conditions. PsA represents a model inflammatory disease to explore the role of the microbiome because skin involvement and overlap with IBD implicates both the skin and gastrointestinal tract as sources of microbial triggers for PsA. In parallel with genetic studies, characterization of the host microbiota may benefit our understanding of the microbial contribution to disease pathogenesis-knowledge that may eventually inform the development of novel therapeutics.

Identification of psoriatic patients at risk of high quality of life impairment

Psoriasis is a systematic chronic disease with large influence on patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the QoL of patients with psoriasis using generic, dermatology-specific and psoriasis-specific instruments simultaneously, to investigate the relationships between dimensions or subscales of the questionnaires and to identify categories of patients at risk of a high QoL impairment. The study comprised 100 consecutive patients with psoriasis treated at the Department of Dermatology, Clinical Center "Zvezdara", Belgrade, from January to December 2011. Three QoL questionnaires were administered: the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI). The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was used in evaluating disease severity. According to our results the QoL of psoriatic patients was impaired (the overall DLQI and PDI scores were 10.5 ± 7.2 and 13.4 ± 8.7, respectively, while EQ visual analog scale score was 48.8 ± 25.1). The most predictive factor of QoL impairment was disease severity, followed by sole and nail involvement. Psoriatic arthritis and bleeding were also associated with impaired QoL. Significant correlations between the instruments used in this study were in the expected directions. Mainly strong and moderate significant correlations ranging 0.26-0.84 were seen between DLQI and PDI instruments. A detailed approach to QoL assessment may give to the dermatologist useful information that could be of help in identifying patients belonging to categories at risk of high QoL impairment due to psoriasis, thus guiding them in clinical practice.

Dermatology Screening Tools: Project Update from the GRAPPA 2012 Annual Meeting

Several screening tools for early identification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been developed. While these tools had high sensitivity and specificity during their development and initial validation, it remained to be determined how they would function with widespread use. At the 2012 annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) in Stockholm, Sweden, these tools were compared for their utility when used to screen patients for PsA in clinics other than those in which they were developed. The screening tools did not perform as well as previously published, and members suggested new tools may need to be developed. An additional study of the prevalence of PsA in a large cohort of psoriasis patients, the PREPARE study, which investigated the use of screening questionnaires, was also presented.

Patient-reported Health-related Quality of Life with Apremilast for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Phase II, Randomized, Controlled Study

Objective.

Apremilast, a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, modulates proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokine production. A phase IIb randomized, controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effect of apremilast on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods.

In this 12-week RCT, patients with active disease (duration > 6 mo, ≥ 3 swollen and ≥ 3 tender joints) received apremilast (20 mg BID or 40 mg QD) or placebo. PRO included pain and global assessment of disease activity [visual analog scale (VAS)], Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Percentages of patients reporting improvements ≥ minimum clinically important differences (MCID) and correlations between SF-36 domains and pain VAS, HAQ-DI, and FACIT-F were determined.

Results.

Among the 204 randomized patients (52.5% men; mean age 50.6 yrs), baseline SF-36 scores reflected large impairments in HRQOL. Apremilast 20 mg BID resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in physical and mental component summary scores and 7 and 6 SF-36 domains, respectively, compared with no change/deterioration in placebo group. Patients receiving apremilast 20 mg BID and 40 mg QD reported significant improvements ≥ MCID in global VAS scores and FACIT-F versus placebo, and significant improvements in pain VAS scores. Moderate-high, significant correlations were evident between SF-36 domains and other PRO.

Conclusion.

Apremilast resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQOL, pain and global VAS, and FACIT-F scores.

Switch to biological agent in psoriasis significantly improved clinical and patient-reported outcomes in real-world practice

BACKGROUND

Although clinical studies have shown efficacy of biological agents in moderate to severe psoriasis, observational studies of real-world effectiveness are rare.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and quality of life by the EQ-5D questionnaire and dermatology quality of life index (DLQI) in psoriasis patients who switched from conventional systemic treatment to biological agents in clinical practice. Furthermore, to analyse patient groups with the highest benefit of biological agents.

METHODS

Longitudinal, observational study based on the Swedish National Registry for Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis, PsoReg. Outcomes of biological-naïve patients who switched to a biological agent (n = 267) were analysed before switch and at the first follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients significantly improved in EQ-5D, DLQI and PASI (p < 0.001). Patients with DLQI ≥10 and/or PASI ≥10 had the greatest benefits from biological agents in terms of EQ-5D.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis benefit from biological agents in clinical practice; the patients with the highest benefits were those with high pretreatment PASI and DLQI scores.