Leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis: Results from a large European prospective observational study

Treatment strategies for Spondyloarthritis: Implementation of precision medicine - Or "one size fits all" concept?

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a term to describe a group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, which have common pathophysiological, genetic, and clinical features. Under the umbrella term SpA, two main groups are subsumed: axial SpA (radiographic axSpA and non-radiographic axSpA) and peripheral SpA (with the leading representative being psoriatic arthritis (PsA) but also arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), reactive arthritis, and undifferentiated pSpA). The key clinical symptom in axSpA is chronic back pain, typically with inflammatory characteristics, which starts in early adulthood, while the leading clinical manifestations of peripheral SpA (pSpA) are arthritis, enthesitis, and/or dactylitis. Furthermore, extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMMs) (acute anterior uveitis, psoriasis, and IBD) can accompany axial or peripheral symptoms. All these factors need to be taken into account when making treatment decisions in SpA patients. Despite the major advances in the treatment landscape over the past two decades with the introduction of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and most recently targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs), a relevant proportion of patients still does not achieve the desired state of remission (=absence of disease activity). With this implementation of new treatment modalities, clinicians now have more choices to make in the treatment algorithms. However, despite generalized treatment recommendations, all factors need to be carefully considered when deciding on the optimal treatment strategy for an individual patient in clinical practice, aiming at an important first step towards personalized treatment strategies in SpA. In this narrative review, we focus on the efficacy of approved and emerging treatment options in axSpA and PsA as the main representative of pSpA and discuss their selective effect on the different manifestations associated with SpA to provide guidance on drivers of treatment decisions in specific situations.

Efficacy of Leflunomide Compared to Methotrexate in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaques Psoriasis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune skin disease. Several treatment options are available including topical and systemic options. Methotrexate was the main systemic medication in treating severe psoriasis, yet adverse events can limit its use. Leflunomide is an isoxazole derivative that inhibits the synthesis of pyrimidines, and subsequently inhibits RNA and DNA synthesis.

OBJECTIVES

As available data directly comparing MTX to leflunomide in psoriasis are lacking, this double blinded study was designed to compare the efficacy of methotrexate versus leflunomide in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

METHODS

The study included 40 patients (25 males and 15 females) with chronic plaque psoriasis. s. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups, group A for subcutaneous methotrexate injections and group B for leflunomide (loading dose 100mg daily for the first 3 days, then 20 mg daily for 3 months. Disease severity was determined by psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score before and at the end of treatment The treatment response was evaluated at the baseline and weeks 4, 8 and 12 PASI score.

RESULTS

Both groups were matching at the baseline in aspects of gender, age, disease duration and PASI scores Both medications yielded comparable results with no significant difference between both groups in PASI score neither in side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Leflunomide can be as effective as methotrexate in treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

Psoriatic disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease shared pathogenesis review

Psoriatic disease (PD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) potentially share disease pathways given the numerous inflammatory pathways involved in both diseases and a higher prevalence of NAFLD in PD patients.  Metabolic syndrome and obesity are a key link between the two diseases, but even when controlling for this, associations between both diseases are still seen. Therapeutics that impact metabolic or inflammatory pathways may be impactful in both PD and NAFLD. In this review, we describe common inflammatory pathways contributing to both PD and NAFLD and critically review the potential impact of treatments for and on both diseases.

Leflunomide: Traditional immunosuppressant with concurrent antiviral effects

Leflunomide is a classic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug that is widely used to treat autoimmune diseases. Studies also show its antiviral effects in in vitro and/or in vivo experiments. Considering glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants and newly emerged antibodies commonly used in autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory disorders bring risk of infection such as viral infection, leflunomide with combination of anti-viral and immunosuppressive features to maintain the balance between infection and anti-inflammation are attractive. Here we summarize the actions and mechanisms of leflunomide in immunoregulatory and antiviral effects.

Consensus statements for pharmacological management, monitoring of therapies, and comorbidity management of psoriatic arthritis in the United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVE

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, substantially impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. This article aims at developing consensus recommendations for the management of PsA and associated comorbidities and screening and monitoring requirements of PsA therapies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population.

METHODS

An extensive review of present international and regional guidelines and publications on the pharmacological management, monitoring of therapies in the context of PsA was performed. Key findings from guidelines and literature were reviewed by a panel of experts from the UAE at several meetings to align with current clinical practices. Consensus statements were formulated based on collective agreement of the experts and members of Emirates Society for Rheumatology.

RESULTS

The consensus recommendations were developed to aid practitioners in clinical decision-making with respect to dosage recommendations for pharmacological therapies for PsA, including conventional drugs, non-biologic, and biologic therapies. Consensus recommendations for therapeutic options for the treatment of PsA domains, including peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, psoriasis, and nail disease, were developed. The panel emphasized the importance of monitoring PsA therapies and arrived at a consensus on monitoring requirements for PsA therapies. The expert panel proposed recommendations for the management of common comorbidities associated with PsA.

CONCLUSION

These consensus recommendations can guide physicians and healthcare professionals in the UAE in making proper treatment decisions, as well as efficiently managing comorbidities and monitoring therapies in patients with PsA.

Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs for Psoriatic Arthritis: Findings and Implications From a Patient Centered Longitudinal Study in Brazil

Background: Conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are the first-line treatment to inhibit the progression of psoriatic arthritis. Despite their widespread clinical use, few studies have been conducted to compare these drugs for psoriatic arthritis. Methods: a longitudinal study was carried out based on a centered patient national database in Brazil. Market share of drugs, medication persistence, drug costs, and cost per response were evaluated. Results: a total of 1,999 individuals with psoriatic arthritis were included. Methotrexate was the most used drug (44.4%), followed by leflunomide (40.6%), ciclosporin (8.2%), and sulfasalazine (6.8%). Methotrexate and leflunomide had a greater market share than ciclosporin and sulfasalazine over years. Medication persistence was higher for leflunomide (58.9 and 28.2%), followed by methotrexate (51.6 and 25.4%) at six and 12 months, respectively. Leflunomide was deemed the most expensive drug, with an average annual cost of $317.25, followed by sulfasalazine ($106.47), ciclosporin ($97.64), and methotrexate ($40.23). Methotrexate was the drug being the lowest cost per response. Conclusion: Methotrexate had the best cost per response ratio, owing to its lower cost and a slightly lower proportion of persistent patients when compared to leflunomide. Leflunomide had a slightly higher medication persistence than methotrexate, but it was the most expensive drug.

Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations.

METHODS

The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility.

CONCLUSIONS

With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.

Safety of long-term use of four common conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis

Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. Whereas methotrexate (MTX) is the anchor drug, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine are used along with MTX either in combination or sequentially. Together these four drugs are the most commonly used DMARDs. They are also used in combination with biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) to enhance their efficacy and MTX in particular to reduce antibodies against anti-tumour necrosis factor. Despite their widespread use, concerns regarding their safety especially when used long-term hinder their optimum use in clinical medicine. In this narrative review we have critically appraised the available literature regarding the safety of these four DMARDs when used long-term.

Recommendations of the Mexican College of Rheumatology for the management of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, musculoskeletal structures and other organs and systems compromising functionality, quality of life and reducing the life expectancy of patients. It is a complex disease that requires specialist and timely care and management. The alternatives for treating the manifestations of psoriatic arthritis have increased and the effect of the different agents on specific manifestations has been clarified in recent studies. Therefore, we should incorporate the available evidence to build a strategy for the treatment of these patients. The Mexican College of Rheumatology selected a committee to evaluate these different alternatives and make recommendations.

METHODS

The study group included 16 rheumatologists and 3 certified dermatologists, selected from different health institutions and regions of the country. An executive committee was formed to coordinate the meetings and a committee of experts selected the literature search criteria, prepared the research questions, rated the quality of the evidence, and produced the recommendations in the different disease domains based on the GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

24 updated recommendations were generated for the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations establish the role of the drugs currently available in our country. The importance of adequate disease control is emphasized, individualizing the level of involvement of each patient in each of the six domains potentially affected by the disease. In addition, the sequence in the choice of treatments available for each domain is established, based on their efficacy, safety profile and accessibility.

CONCLUSIONS

With this consensus document, it will be possible to improve the care of patients with psoriatic arthritis. The recommendations were generated based on the best available information and in consideration of the Mexican health system.

Recommendations for psoriatic arthritis management: A joint position paper of the Taiwan Rheumatology Association and the Taiwanese Association for Psoriasis and Skin Immunology

In Taiwan, the incidence and prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have risen significantly in recent years. Moreover, data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) show that more than 85% of PsA patients are treated with just non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Taiwanese clinicians have also expressed concerns regarding uncertainties in the diagnosis of PsA and the delayed, interrupted, and/or tapered use of biologics, as well as differences in therapeutic preferences between and within dermatologists and rheumatologists. To address these issues, the Taiwan Rheumatology Association and the Taiwanese Association for Psoriasis and Skin Immunology jointly convened a committee of 28 clinicians from the fields of rheumatology, dermatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation, to develop evidence-based consensus recommendations for the practical management of PsA in Taiwan. A total of six overarching principles and 13 recommendations were developed and approved, as well as a treatment algorithm with four separate tracks for axial PsA, peripheral PsA, enthesitis, and dactylitis. Psoriasis (PsO) management was not discussed here, as the Taiwanese Dermatological Association has recently published a comprehensive consensus statement on the management of PsO. Together, these recommendations provide an up-to-date, evidence-based framework for PsA care in Taiwan.

Fatigue in psoriatic arthritis: Is it related to disease activity?

AIM

Fatigue is commonly associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, information about its prevalence and associated factors is sparse. The primary objective here was to find the prevalence and magnitude of PsA fatigue. The secondary objective was to explore its associated risk factors, particularly emphasis on the effect of disease activity control.

METHODS

PsA patients who fulfilled Classification Criteria For Psoriatic Arthritis were consecutively recruited from local rheumatology clinics. Fatigue was assessed by a 13-item self-administered questionnaire (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue [FACIT-F]) (0-52). Data collected and analyzed included: demographic data, disease activity data, comorbidities and medications use.

RESULTS

There were 231 eligible PsA patients recruited. The mean FACIT-F score was 37.5 ± 9.1. Severe fatigue, defined as FACIT-F score < 30, was found in 49 (22.1%) of them. The univariate model identified these associated factors of fatigue: tender and swollen joint count, dactylitis count, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, pain and general health perception, Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score, Health Assessment Questionnaire, the use of cyclosporine, sulphasalazine and biologic agents. The final regression model identified DAPSA and PASI were closely associated with severe fatigue (P = .003 and P = .04 respectively). No associations with fatigue were found between age, gender, disease duration, comorbidities and medication use. However, there were weak correlations between the magnitude of FACIT-F score, DAPSA and PASI with r = -.3 and r = -.26 respectively.

CONCLUSION

Severe fatigue was common in PsA patients, and its magnitude was closely correlated with DAPSA and PASI score, indicating its multifactorial nature. Achieving DAPSA and PASI remission could significantly alleviate the fatigue intensity to a certain extent. However, treatment for PsA-related fatigue should adopt a multidisciplinary approach in addition to disease activity control.

Does concomitant methotrexate confer clinical benefits in patients treated with prior biologic therapy? Analysis of data from a noninterventional study of rheumatoid arthritis patients initiating treatment with adalimumab

Most studies of methotrexate (MTX) in combination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors have focused on treatment-naive patients with early disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether previous biologic therapy influenced the impact of concomitant MTX in patients initiating treatment with adalimumab.We retrospectively analyzed data from 2 large noninterventional studies of German patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who initiated adalimumab therapy during routine clinical practice. Patients were seen between April 2004 and February 2013 for study 1 and between April 2003 and March 2013 for study 2. Key outcomes were Disease Activity Score-28 joints (DAS28), patient global assessment of health (PGA), and pain. Subgroup analyses by prior biologic treatment were performed on patients treated with continuous adalimumab monotherapy or adalimumab plus MTX for 12 months and 2-sample t tests were used to evaluate differences. We also assessed outcomes in subgroups in which MTX had been added or removed at 6 months and compared outcomes with 1-sample t tests.Of 2654 patients, 1911 (72%) were biologic naive and 743 (28%) had received prior biologic therapy, usually with a TNF inhibitor. All subgroups showed improvements following initiation of adalimumab therapy. In patients with no previous biologic treatment, continuous adalimumab plus MTX was associated with greater improvements in DAS28, PGA, and pain at month 12 compared with continuous adalimumab monotherapy (P = .0006, .0031, and .0032, respectively). In patients with previous biologic treatment, concomitant MTX was associated with statistically significant benefits in pain only. Adding MTX at month 6 resulted in additional benefits in patients with no prior biologic therapy, but not those with previous biologics.We conclude that concomitant MTX resulted in additional improvements in DAS28 and PGA vs adalimumab monotherapy in patients with no previous biologic therapy, but changes were not statistically significant in patients treated with prior biologics. These findings may help inform the patient/provider treatment decision during routine clinical care.

Combination of leflunomide and benazepril reduces renal injury of diabetic nephropathy rats and inhibits high-glucose induced cell apoptosis through regulation of NF-κB, TGF-β and TRPC6

Objective: To investigate effects of combination use of leflunomide and benazepril on diabetic nephropathy (DN) both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: The streptozotocin (STZ) induced Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with leflunomide (15 mg/kg/d), benazepril (15 mg/kg/d) or both the two drugs. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and renal function indexes including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and proteinuria and kidney/body weight ratio (KW/BW) were measured. HE staining was used for histological analysis. The rat glomerular mesangial cells (RMCs) were treated with high-glucose (150 mg/ml) and the leflunomide and benazepril with both concentrations of 50 μmol/l were used to treat the high-glucose induced cells. TUNEL assay was used for measurement of cell apoptosis. Western blotting was conducted to determine expression of nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6).

Results: The body weight was significantly lower and all indexes of FBG, BUN, Scr, proteinuria and KW/BW ratio, GFR, as well as inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased in the DN group after STZ treatment for 4 weeks. The treatment with leflunomide, benazepril or the both dramatically reduced the above effects induced by STZ, and the alteration was the most significant in the combination group. Treatment of leflunomide and benazepril significantly reduced expression levels of NF-κB, TGF-β and TRPC6 in renal tissues of DN rats as well as in high-glucose induced RMCs. It was also observed leflunomide and benazepril reduced high-glucose induced cell apoptosis of RMCs.

Conclusion: The combination use of leflunomide and benazepril could improve the renal function and reduce the renal injury of DN rats and could reduce the levels of NF-κb, TGF-β and TRPC6 in both DN rats and high-glucose induced RMCs.

Efficacy and safety of leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis treatment: A single-arm meta-analysis

AIM

To systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of leflunomide for treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until 1 January, 2018, to include relevant studies in this single-arm meta-analysis. Psoriasis improvement was evaluated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. The primary outcome in patients was assessed using the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC). Other effectiveness evaluations included those of adverse events, quality of life including functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] total score), and a quality-of-life instrument for dermatologic diseases (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] total score).

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies were included. After leflunomide treatment, 48% of the patients experienced a reduction of ≥50% based on PASI scores (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.73). PASI 75 improvement was observed among 25% of the patients (95% CI: 0.11-0.38). The primary effectiveness analysis revealed that 15% of the patients (95% CI: 0.07-0.26) discontinued leflunomide treatment. Further, 77% of the patients (95% CI: 0.59-0.92) achieved a PsARC response. Adverse events occurred in 38% of the patients (95% CI: 0.04-0.71). The mean ± SD percentage PASI improvement was -4.88 (95% CI: -8.92, -0.85). Moreover, DLQI and HAQ were -2.02 (95% CI: -3.01, -1.03) and -0.19 (95% CI: -0.29, -0.09), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Leflunomide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PsA, and would be a safe and convenient option.

Medication persistence for psoriatic arthritis in a Brazilian real-world setting

Aim:

To evaluate the persistence of biological (TNF inhibitor [anti-TNF]) and synthetic (conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [csDMARDs]) antirheumatic agents for psoriatic arthritis and their associated factors.

Methods:

A historical cohort was developed. Persistence and associated factors were evaluated at 6 and 12 months.

Results:

A total of 161 patients were included. The anti-TNF treatment presented higher persistence as compared with csDMARDs at 6 (83.4 vs 50.8%; p < 0.05) and 12 months (66.4 vs 35.6%; p < 0.05). From anti-TNFs, adalimumab and etanercept presented similar persistence, along with leflunomide and methotrexate among the csDMARDs. The factors associated with non-persistence with regard to anti-TNF agents were female sex and use of infliximab.

Conclusion:

Anti-TNF agents are important therapeutic alternatives and present lower rates of discontinuation as compared with csDMARDs.

Conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) and anti-TNF agents were included in the Brazilian National Health System in 2009, yet were not previously the target of evaluations in a Brazilian context. Persistence, that is the time between starting and discontinuing the drug, is a proxy of effectiveness and safety for antirheumatic agents. This study evaluated medication persistence and relevant factors associated with it. Patients using infliximab showed a lower medication persistence when compared with adalimumab and etanercept. The medication persistence with anti-TNF agents was higher when compared with csDMARDs. Female sex and infliximab were predictors of medication non-persistence.

Using Acute-phase Reactants to Inform the Development of Instruments for the Updated Psoriatic Arthritis Core Outcome Measurement Set

OBJECTIVE

Systemic inflammationˆ is assessed through measurement of acute-phase reactants such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). With few exceptions, most randomized controlled trials (RCT) have assessed acute-phase reactants (CRP and ESR) as part of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response criteria. As part of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) working group, we performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the performance of inflammatory biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was performed. The search included peer-reviewed articles and scientific meeting abstracts about RCT and longitudinal observational studies that assessed systemic inflammation using acute-phase reactants in PsA. Studies were assessed following the components of the OMERACT filter including construct validity, responsiveness, and predictive validity.

RESULTS

There were 2764 articles retrieved, and 71 articles were included for this systematic review. Twenty-eight articles reported CRP and/or ESR separately, and the remaining articles reported CRP and/or ESR as part of the ACR response criteria. Studies assessing OMERACT responsiveness provided conflicting reports. Inflammatory biomarkers had construct validity for more active disease. Evidence suggests that an elevation of ESR predicts cardiovascular outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Data regarding assessment of systemic inflammation using acute-phase reactants (CRP and ESR) are limited. There is only weak evidence to support normalization of these biomarkers in predicting good clinical outcomes/remission criteria. The predictive value for cardiovascular outcomes was generally good. Further studies to assess systemic inflammation in PsA using acute-phase reactants and other laboratory biomarkers are needed.

Safety of treatment options for spondyloarthritis: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are chronic inflammatory diseases with overlapping pathogenic mechanisms and clinical features. Treatment armamentarium against SpA includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs, including sulfasalazine, methotrexate, leflunomide, cyclosporine), targeted synthetic DMARDs (apremilast) and biological DMARDs (TNF inhibitors, anti-IL 12/23 and anti-IL-17 agents).

AREAS COVERED

A narrative review of published literature on safety profile of available SpA treatment options was performed. Readers will be provided with a comprehensive overview on frequent and rare adverse events associated with each drug listed in current SpA treatment recommendations.

EXPERT OPINION

The overall safety profile of such molecules is good and serious adverse events are rare but need to be promptly recognized and treated. However, the monitoring of adverse events is a major challenge for clinicians because it is not adequately addressed by current treatment recommendations. A tailored treatment is crucial and rheumatologists must accurately select patients in order to identify those more susceptible to develop adverse events.

Treatment strategies for psoriatic arthritis

The therapeutic management of psoriatic arthritis has seen major changes over the last few years, as illustrated by the recent updates of the GRAPPA and EULAR recommendations. These changes were driven by new studies establishing important benefits from early management and tight control of disease activity. The concepts underlying the treatment of psoriatic arthritis must be reappraised in the light of these new data. The objectives of this review are to discuss new concepts, to describe and assess the new drug classes introduced for psoriatic arthritis and, whenever possible, to define the specific indications of each class based on the rheumatic disease phenotype and presence of extraarticular manifestations.

Nail psoriasis: clinical features, pathogenesis, differential diagnoses, and management

Psoriasis is the skin disease that most frequently affects the nails. Depending on the very nail structure involved, different clinical nail alterations can be observed. Irritation of the apical matrix results in psoriatic pits, mid-matrix involvement may cause leukonychia, whole matrix affection may lead to red lunulae or severe nail dystrophy, nail bed involvement may cause salmon spots, subungual hyperkeratosis, and splinter hemorrhages, and psoriasis of the distal nail bed and hyponychium causes onycholysis whereas that of the proximal nail fold causes psoriatic paronychia. The more extensive the involvement, the more severe is the nail destruction. Pustular psoriasis may be seen as yellow spots under the nail or, in case of acrodermatitis continua suppurativa, as an insidious progressive loss of the nail organ. Nail psoriasis has a severe impact on quality of life and may interfere with professional and other activities. Management includes patient counseling, avoidance of stress and strain to the nail apparatus, and different types of treatment. Topical therapy may be tried but is rarely sufficiently efficient. Perilesional injections with corticosteroids and methotrexate are often beneficial but may be painful and cannot be applied to many nails. All systemic treatments clearing widespread skin lesions usually also clear the nail lesions. Recently, biologicals were introduced into nail psoriasis treatment and found to be very effective. However, their use is restricted to severe cases due to high cost and potential systemic adverse effects.

[Psoriatic arthritis : Overview of drug therapy options and administration characteristics]

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal system with association to skin psoriasis and is characterized by variable clinical symptoms with very heterogeneous degrees of disease suffering for patients. Clinical manifestations essentially include alterations to the skin and nails, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis and/or spinal involvement. This variability necessitates an individualized therapy of patients with different therapy targets. Apart from international guidelines no therapy recommendations are available in Germany for treatment of psoriatic arthritis. For this reason this article summarizes the established points, characteristics and aspects to be considered in the therapy of psoriatic arthritis in Germany, taking the various main forms of the disease into consideration.

Nail Psoriasis: A Review of Treatment Options

Nail involvement affects 80-90 % of patients with plaque psoriasis, and is even more prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis. This review is the result of a systemic approach to the literature and covers topical, intralesional, conventional systemic, and biologic systemic treatments, as well as non-pharmacological treatment options for nail psoriasis. The available evidence suggests that all anti-tumor necrosis factor-α, anti-interleukin (IL)-17, and anti-IL-12/23 antibodies which are available for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are highly effective treatments for nail psoriasis. Conventional systemic treatments, including methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, and apremilast, as well as intralesional corticosteroids, can also be effective treatments for nail psoriasis. Topical treatments, including corticosteroids, calcipotriol, tacrolimus, and tazarotene, have also been shown to have a position in the treatment of nail psoriasis, particularly in mild cases. Finally, non-pharmacological treatment options, including phototherapy, photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and several radiotherapeutic options, are also reviewed but cannot be advised as first-line treatment options. Another conclusion of this review is that the lack of a reliable core set of outcomes measures for trials in nail psoriasis hinders the interpretation of results, and is urgently needed.

Making the next steps in psoriatic arthritis management: current status and future directions

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition with articular and extra-articular manifestations: peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, and skin and nail disease. It is associated with cardiovascular comorbidities. It is now recognized as a new entity, different from rheumatoid arthritis and other spondyloarthritis in terms of clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and response to therapies. Anti-tumor necrosis factors (anti-TNFs) have demonstrated clinical efficacies exceeding that of conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The current treatment paradigms recommend early diagnosis and treatment, and a strategic and target orientated approach, aiming at a low disease activity status. New understanding in the immunopathogenesis of PsA has led to new treatment targets. This review addresses the evidence of current treatment for each of the domains as an aid to the clinician managing these patients in the clinic. Some new therapeutic targets are presented. We highlight the importance of development and validation in outcome measures, including that of composite scores that capture various disease domains that will facilitate future clinical trials to inform the best treatment.

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.

Psoriatic arthritis: latest treatments and their place in therapy

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease that may affect peripheral and axial joints, entheses, skin and nails, and other organs. Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs had been the backbone of traditional management of PsA for many years. However, improvement in our understanding of immunopathogenesis of PsA has led to new immunomodulatory therapies. Introduction of novel agents has raised the bar for treatment and helped drive research into additional therapeutic options.

On the interactions of leflunomide and teriflunomide within receptor cavity--NMR studies and energy calculations

Leflunomide is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug with antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive activity used for the treatment of psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. It undergoes rapid metabolization to teriflunomide, a metabolite that is responsible for the biological activity of leflunomide. Continuing our investigations on the interactions of biologically important azahetarenes with the environment, we focused on leflunomide and its active metabolite, teriflunomide, considering the interactions teriflunomide–amino acid within the target protein (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase) using density functional theory, as well as ONIOM techniques. The results of theoretical studies have shown that the interactions of teriflunomide with tyrosine and arginine involve principally the amide fragment of teriflunomide. The presence of the internal hydrogen bond between (Z)-teriflunomide carbonyl oxygen and enolic hydroxyl decreases the interaction strength between teriflunomide and tyrosine or arginine. Even the E isomer of teriflunomide would usually provide a stronger interaction teriflunomide—amino acid than the Z isomer with the internal hydrogen bond.

Graphical Abstract

2014 Update of the Canadian Rheumatology Association/Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Treatment Recommendations for the Management of Spondyloarthritis. Part II: Specific Management Recommendations

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.

Results.

Recommendations for the management of SpA were created. Part II: Specific Management Recommendations addresses management with nonpharmacologic methods, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and analgesics, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, antibiotics, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, other biologic agents, and surgery. Also included are 10 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 implementation of these recommendations will promote best practices in the treatment of SpA.

A Case of Multicentric Carcinoid in a Patient with Psoriatic Spondyloarthropathy

We describe the first case of a patient presenting with multicentric carcinoid occurring in the lung and subsequently in the rectum, with chronic psoriatic arthritis. Although reports have been published regarding carcinoid syndrome occurring alongside rheumatoid arthritis, no reports have been made on such a case. Initial presentation of carcinoid syndrome in this patient was insidious and atypical with few symptoms, including shortness of breath and long standing abdominal bloating. Several years later a sudden change in bowel habit prompted a colonoscopy with biopsy that revealed a carcinoid rectal polyp. The case we report describes a rare presentation of carcinoid syndrome in chronic psoriatic arthropathy.

Drug Therapies for Peripheral Joint Disease in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review

In 2009, GRAPPA published their first evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Since then, new information has been published and drugs developed. We summarize evidence for the efficacy of available treatments for peripheral joint involvement in PsA. We performed a systematic review of current literature on the efficacy of different therapies, management, and therapeutic strategies for peripheral arthritis involvement in PsA, in order to provide information for the development of the new GRAPPA treatment recommendations.

Treatments for Nail Psoriasis: A Systematic Review by the GRAPPA Nail Psoriasis Work Group

Nail involvement in psoriatic diseases causes significant physical and functional disabilities. Evaluating, measuring, and treating nail involvement is important in improving the health outcomes and quality of life among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We performed a systematic analysis of the literature on nail psoriasis to help inform an update of treatment recommendations by the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA).

Proteomics focusing on immune markers in psoriatic arthritis

The immune-pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis represents a subject of intense research, as a still unknown factor can trigger the chronic inflammation that, upon a defective immune terrain, generates this auto-immune/auto-inflammatory condition. The pathogenesis complexity of psoriatic arthritis resides in the psoriatic synovitis milieu, where intricate immune relations are emerging during disease development. Innate immune response generates inflammatory cytokines driving effectors functions for immune and non-immune cells that sustain the chronical character of the synovitis. Herein, we review the updated information regarding biomarkers/immune markers that sustain the heterogeneity and complexity of psoriatic arthritis pathogenesis, this complexity leading to multifaceted methodological approaches for disease investigation. New immune proteomic or genomic biomarkers can enlarge and identify new therapeutic targets.

Individualization of leflunomide dosing in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Leflunomide is largely considered to be a second-line treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Those who fail to respond, tend to progress to treatment with expensive biological agents, which can also be associated with serious toxicities. Optimizing leflunomide treatment to meet the needs of individuals would hence be beneficial in terms of patient outcomes and health care expenditure. In this respect, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may be useful, as plasma concentrations of leflunomide's active metabolite, teriflunomide, correlate with response to treatment, but are highly variable between patients. A number of pharmacogenetic markers have also been identified that influence response and toxicity. Incorporation of these findings into clinical practice could facilitate more efficient use of leflunomide.

[Therapy of psoriatic arthritis]

In psoriatic arthritis (PsA) the heterogeneous spectrum of the disease with arthritis/synovitis, axial manifestation, enthesitis, dactylitis, psoriatic skin disease and nail psoriasis has to be considered. Moreover, PsA activity and severity as well as comorbidities are of importance for making therapeutic decisions. Measurement instruments developed for therapeutic studies of rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis are often not appropriate for application in PsA investigations. In this paper established therapies with nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and TNF-alpha inhibitors and the current EULAR guidelines from 2012 are reviewed. However, there is a need for new therapeutic agents for those patients who do not respond to or do not tolerate the current therapies. Other biologic agents have also been tested for PsA with moderate effects only. New therapeutic options could result from the anti-IL12 and anti-IL23 receptor monoclonal antibody ustekinumab and from small molecules such as the oral PDE-4 inhibitor apremilast.

[Serum phospholipid of patients with sequela of cerebrovascular disorders]

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease occurring in a subgroup of patients suffering from psoriasis. This article gives an overview of the complexity of psoriatic arthritis, looking at several aspects of this heterogeneous disease, such as epidemiology, important clinical features and comorbidities as well as current concepts of the pathophysiology and subsequent insights in novel treatment targets.