Disease Activity and Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Risk Stratification of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis for Treatment with Tofacitinib: A Review of Current Clinical Data

In this commentary, we review clinical data which helps inform individualized benefit-risk assessment for tofacitinib in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ORAL Surveillance, a safety trial of patients ≥ 50 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cardiovascular risk factors, found increased rates of safety outcomes (including major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE], malignancies excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and venous thromboembolism) with tofacitinib versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Post hoc analyses of ORAL Surveillance have identified subpopulations with different relative risk versus TNFi; higher risk with tofacitinib was confined to patients ≥ 65 years of age and/or long-time current/past smokers, and specifically for MACE, patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In patients without these risk factors, risk differences between tofacitinib and TNFi could not be detected. Given differences in demographics, pathophysiology, and comorbidities, we sought to examine whether the risk stratification observed in RA is also appropriate for PsA and AS. Data from the PsA tofacitinib development program show low absolute risk of safety outcomes in patients < 65 years of age and never smokers, and low MACE risk in patients with no history of ASCVD, consistent with results from ORAL Surveillance. No MACE, malignancies, or venous thromboembolism were reported in the tofacitinib AS development program. The mechanism of the ORAL Surveillance safety findings is unknown, and there are no similar prospective studies of sufficient size and duration. Accordingly, it is appropriate to use a precautionary approach and extrapolate differentiating risk factors identified from ORAL Surveillance (age ≥ 65 years, long-time current/past smoking, and history of ASCVD) to PsA and AS. We recommend an individualized approach to treatment decisions based on these readily identifiable risk factors, in line with updated labeling for Janus kinase inhibitors and international guidelines for the treatment of PsA and AS.Trial Registration: NCT02092467, NCT01262118, NCT01484561, NCT00147498, NCT00413660, NCT00550446, NCT00603512, NCT00687193, NCT01164579, NCT00976599, NCT01059864, NCT01359150, NCT02147587, NCT00960440, NCT00847613, NCT00814307, NCT00856544, NCT00853385, NCT01039688, NCT02281552, NCT02187055, NCT02831855, NCT00413699, NCT00661661, NCT01877668, NCT01882439, NCT01976364, NCT00678210, NCT01710046, NCT01241591, NCT01186744, NCT01276639, NCT01309737, NCT01163253, NCT01786668, NCT03502616.

The management of cardiovascular risk in psoriatic disease: A bridge over troubled water

Evidence that psoriatic disease is burdened by an excess cardiovascular (CV) risk has accrued, however many questions remain unanswered. Although an interplay between traditional risk factors inflammation, disease activity and pharmacological therapies, as observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), may account for this increased risk, metabolic comorbidities rather than inflammation seem to have a leading role in psoriatic disease. Therefore, specific approaches, risk factors targeting and the importance of traditional risk factors and inflammation management need to be considered. The purpose of this review article is to discuss current data on CV risk in psoriatic disease, and to outline similarities and differences with RA in the light of international recommendations. Arguments in favour of developing specific guidance for CV prevention in psoriatic disease are discussed.

Mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis in Sweden: a nationwide, population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To compare all-cause mortality and causes of death between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and the general population in Sweden.

METHODS

Adults with at least one main PsA diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases-10: L40.5/M07.0-M07.3) from outpatient rheumatology/internal medicine departments 2001-2017 were identified from the National Patient Register. Each case was matched to five population comparator-subjects on sex/county/age at the case's first arthritis diagnosis. Follow-up ran from 1 January 2007, or from first PsA diagnosis thereafter, until death, emigration or 31 December 2018. Mortality was assessed overall, and stratified by sex and duration since diagnosis (diagnosis before/after 1 January 2007), using matched Cox proportional hazard regression (excluding/including adjustments for comorbidity) or Breslow test, as appropriate. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of death, overall and stratified by sex/duration since diagnosis/age, as well as causes of death in PsA cases and comparator-subjects were also described.

RESULTS

All-cause mortality was elevated in PsA (HR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.16); IRR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.22)), mainly driven by increased risks in women (HR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.30)) and cases with longer time since diagnosis (HR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.25)). IRR of death were significantly increased for all ages except below 40 years, with the numerically highest point-estimates for ages 40-59 years. When adjusted for comorbidity, however, the elevated mortality risk in PsA disappeared. Causes of death were similar among PsA cases/comparator-subjects, with cardiovascular disease and malignancy as the leading causes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality risk in PsA in Sweden was about 10% higher than in the general population, driven by excess comorbidity and with increased risks mainly in women and patients with longer disease duration.

Comorbidities in Early Psoriatic Arthritis: Data From the Metabolic Disturbances in Psoriatic Arthritis Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (RFs) in treatment-naive patients with early psoriatic arthritis (ePsA) and to identify factors that contribute to metabolic burden in ePsA.

METHODS

This was an observational longitudinal multicenter cohort study. Clinical and demographic characteristics, CV RFs, and comorbidities were compared in patients newly diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and sex- and age-matched controls. In patients with PsA, comorbidities were reevaluated after one year's follow-up because the disease activity changed.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients with ePsA and 61 healthy volunteers were included. The rate of comorbidities was similar in patients with ePsA and in healthy controls; 82.1% of patients with ePsA had CV RFs at baseline as compared with 62.3% of healthy volunteers (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.0). Patients with ePsA had higher odds of having multiple (two or more) comorbidities (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0) and multiple CV RFs (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.2) than the controls. Comorbidities or CV RFs in patients with ePsA were not influenced by duration of skin psoriasis. Dyslipidemia was the most prevalent comorbidity in the PsA cohort (64.2% vs 39.3% in controls; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5). Patients with ePsA had, on average, above normal body mass index (mean ± SD 28.82 ± 4.5) and a higher rate of obesity (40.3% vs 18.3% in controls; OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2). After 1 year, although disease activity scores improved, the proportion of patients with comorbidities and CV RFs did not increase or drop.

CONCLUSION

Our data imply that patients with PsA already have higher comorbidities and CV burden at early stages of the disease, suggesting that these are not only a consequence of long-lasting disease and chronic systemic inflammation.

Causal relationship between spondylarthritis and stroke in a European population: a two sample Mendelian randomization study

Background

Observational studies have found an increased risk of stroke in patients with spondyloarthritis, but the results are susceptible to reverse causality and confounders. Therefore, the study aimed to further explore the association between spondyloarthritis and different subtypes of stroke by using a two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

Genetic instrumental variables for spondyloarthritis were identified using summary level data from a genome-wide association study involving 201,581 people. Summary statistics from the Multiancestry Genome-wide Association Study of Stroke Consortium were used to obtain genetic data on stroke. There was no sample overlap between the exposure and outcome datasets. Inverse-variance weighted was considered the primary MR method for causal analysis. Heterogeneity, pleiotropy and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with potential confounders was further screened in the PhenoScanner database to better evaluate the stability of our study.

Results

One SNP (rs1065045) was excluded due to schizophrenia. After excluding SNP (rs1065045), results of the second MR analysis were slightly different from the first, which were considered as the final result: a significant positive causality between spondyloarthritis and cardioembolic stroke (OR=1.296, 95% CI:1.094-1.534, p=0.003); a possible positive causality between spondyloarthritis and any stroke (OR=1.082, 95% CI:1.016-1.152, p=0.013)/any ischemic stroke (OR=1.086, 95% CI:1.013-1.163, p=0.020); no significant/possible causality between spondyloarthritis and small vessel stroke (OR=1.168, 95% CI:0.993-1.375, p=0.061). Insufficient power may be one possible reason why a causality was not observed between spondyloarthritis in our study.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the possible causative effects of spondyloarthritis predicted by genetics on stroke may be limited to any stroke, any ischemic stroke, and cardioembolic stroke, especially the last.

Epidemiological analysis of patients with psoriatic arthritis in follow-up at the brazilian Unified Health System

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic multisystem osteoarticular disease that requires specialized care. Most Brazilians depend on the public healthcare provided by the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS). This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients with PsA in follow-up in SUS, focusing on the incidence and prevalence of the disease, comorbidities, and hospitalizations.

METHODS

We collected data from the Outpatient Data System of SUS (Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais do SUS, SIA/SUS) regarding outpatient visits and hospitalizations in the Brazilian public healthcare system from January 2008 to March 2021 using the Techtrials Disease Explorer® platform and the medical code related to PsA were selected.

RESULTS

We evaluated 40,009 patients and found a prevalence of 24.4 cases of visits due to PsA per 100,000 patients in follow-up in SUS. Female patients were predominant (54.38%). The incidence of visits due to PsA has been increasing in recent years and we observed an incidence of 8,982 new visits in 2020. The main comorbidities of these patients were osteoarthritis, lower back pain, shoulder injuries, oncological diseases, crystal arthropathies, and osteoporosis. Hospitalizations were mainly due to treating clinical or cardiovascular conditions and performing orthopedic procedures.

CONCLUSION

The number of visits due to PsA in SUS has increased in recent years, mainly on account of new diagnoses of the disease, although the prevalence found in this study's population was lower than that observed in the general population.

All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are chronic inflammatory diseases associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities compared to the general population. Individual studies examining mortality in these patients have produced conflicting results. The present study was undertaken to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the all-cause and cause-specific mortality in PsA and AS from the available literature.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search was performed for studies reporting all-cause or cause-specific mortality in patients with PsA and AS compared with the general population. Pooled relative risks (RRs) were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

We included 19 studies (11 of PsA, 7 of AS, 1 of both). In PsA studies, there was no increased mortality compared to the general population (RR 1.12 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.96-1.30]; n = 10 studies). We found a higher all-cause mortality in female (RR 1.19 [95% CI 1.04-1.36]) but not in male (RR 1.02 [95% CI 0.66-1.59]) PsA patients. Cardiovascular-, respiratory-, and infection-specific mortality risks were significantly higher for PsA patients (RR 1.21 [95% CI 1.06-1.38], RR 3.37 [95% CI 1.30-8.72], and RR 2.43 [95% CI 1.01-5.84], respectively), but not cancer-related mortality (RR 1.01 [95% CI 0.91-1.11]). In AS, we found a higher risk of death from all causes (RR 1.64 [95% CI 1.49-1.80]; n = 6 studies) and cardiovascular causes (RR 1.35 [95% CI 1.01-1.81]; n = 3 studies) compared to the general population. All-cause mortality was high in both male (RR 1.56 [95% CI 1.43-1.71]) and female (RR 1.85 [95% CI 1.56-2.18]) AS patients. The included AS studies did not report mortality data for non-cardiovascular causes.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis showed a significantly increased risk of overall mortality in AS but not PsA. Cardiovascular-specific mortality was higher for both PsA and AS, which emphasizes the importance of early screening and management of cardiovascular risk factors.

Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Imaging in Inflammatory Arthritis

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are more prevalent in inflammatory arthritis (IA) compared to the general population. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) published guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management in IA in 2016, with plans to update going forward based on the latest emerging evidence. Herein we review the latest evidence on cardiovascular disease in IA, taking a focus on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondylarthritis, reflecting on the scale of the problem and imaging modalities to identify disease. Evidence demonstrates that both traditional CVD factors and inflammation contribute to the higher CVD burden. Whereas CVD has decreased with the newer anti-rheumatic treatments currently available, CVD continues to remain an important comorbidity in IA patients calling for prompt screening and management of CVD and related risk factors. Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging has been attracting much attention in view of the possibility of detecting cardiovascular lesions in IA accurately and promptly, even at the pre-clinical stage. We reflect on imaging modalities to screen for CVD in IA and on the important role of rheumatologists and cardiologists working closely together.

Related Risk Factors and Treatment Management of Psoriatic Arthritis Complicated With Cardiovascular Disease

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease related to psoriasis (PsO). The risk of PsA patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is significantly higher than that of the general population. At present, the relevant mechanism is not clear, chronic inflammation and traditional cardiovascular risk factors are the most important factors for the increased risk of CVD in PsA patients. Early assessment of the risk of PsA patients with CVD, and active control of the disease activity of PsA patients and intervention of traditional cardiovascular risk factors can delay the progression of CVD risk. This article reviews the epidemiology and pathogenesis between PsA and CVD, and reviews the latest developments in the risk assessment and management of CVD in PsA patients.

All-cause and cause-specific mortality in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis: a nationwide registry study

OBJECTIVES

To explore mortality and causes of death among Norwegian patients with RA, PsA and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with the general population by conducting a nationwide registry-based cohort study.

METHODS

Patients with RA, PsA and axSpA were identified from the Norwegian Patient Registry based on ICD-10 codes between 2008 and 2017. Using age as the time variable, all-cause and cause-specific mortality were estimated between 2010 and 2017 with the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the cumulative incidence competing risk method, respectively. Sex-, education level-, health region- and age group-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were estimated using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

We identified 36 095 RA, 18 700 PsA and 16 524 axSpA patients (70%, 53% and 45% women, respectively). RA and axSpA were associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.45 [95% CI: 1.41, 1.48] and HR 1.38 [95% CI: 1.28, 1.38], respectively). Women but not men with PsA had a slightly increased mortality rate (HR 1.10 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.21] among women and 1.02 [95% CI: 0.93, 1.11] among men). For all patient groups as well as for the general population, the three leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms and respiratory diseases. RA patients had increased mortality from all of these causes, while axSpA patients had increased mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

CONCLUSION

Even in the era of modern treatments for IJDs, patients with RA and axSpA still have shortened life expectancy. Our findings warrant further attention to the prevention and management of comorbidities.

Mortality in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Lithuanian National Registry Data and Systematic Review

Despite significant improvement in survival, rheumatic diseases (RD) are associated with premature mortality rates comparable to cardiovascular and neoplastic disorders. The aim of our study was to assess mortality, causes of death, and life expectancy in an inflammatory RD retrospective cohort and compare those with the general population as well as with the results of previously published studies in a systematic literature review. Patients with the first-time diagnosis of inflammatory RD during 2012-2019 were identified and cross-checked for their vital status and the date of death. Sex- and age-standardized mortality ratios (SMR) as well as life expectancy for patients with inflammatory RDs were calculated. The results of a systematic literature review were included in meta-standardized mortality ratio calculations. 11,636 patients with newly diagnosed RD were identified. During a total of 43,064.34 person-years of follow-up, 950 death cases occurred. The prevailing causes of death for the total cohort were cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. The age- and sex-adjusted SMR for the total cohort was calculated to be 1.32 (1.23; 1.40). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis if diagnosed at age 18-19 tend to live for 1.63 years less than the general population, patients with spondyloarthritis-for 2.7 years less, patients with connective tissue diseases-for almost nine years less than the general population. The findings of our study support the hypothesis that patients with RD have a higher risk of mortality and lower life expectancy than the general population.

Is pain associated with premature mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis? A nested case-control study using the DANBIO Register

OBJECTIVES

It has been hypothesized that the presence of chronic pain causes excess mortality. Since chronic pain is prevalent among patients with PsA this potential association should be explored. We aimed to investigate whether higher cumulative pain intensity is associated with an excess mortality risk in patients with PsA.

METHODS

A nested case-control study using data from the nationwide DANBIO Register (Danish Database for Biological Therapies in Rheumatology) Register and Danish healthcare registers. Cases were patients who died and corresponding to the date of death, matched on sex, year of birth and calendar period at the time of death with up to five controls. Exposure of interest was mean pain intensity reported during the time followed in routine rheumatology practice. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale from 0 to 100 and conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds of mortality per 5 unit increase in pain while adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 8019 patients. A total of 276 cases were identified and matched with 1187 controls. Higher mean pain intensity was associated with increased odds of mortality [odds ratio 1.06 (95% CI 1.02, 1.10)] in the crude model, but there was no association [odds ratio 0.99 (95% CI 0.95, 1.03)] when adjusting for additional confounders. Factors shown to increase the odds of mortality were recent glucocorticoid use, concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that experienced pain in itself is not associated with premature mortality in patients with PsA. However, recent glucocorticoid use and concurrent comorbidities were.

Role of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Therapy of Psoriasis

Janus kinases inhibitors are molecules that target Janus kinases-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT). They inhibit this intracellular signal pathway, blocking the gene transcription of crucial proinflammatory cytokines that play a central role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis. This process reduces psoriatic inflammation. The JAK inhibitors are divided into two generations. The first generation of JAK inhibitors blocks two or more different Janus kinases. The second generation is more specified and blocks only one type of Janus kinase and has less side effects than the first generation. Tofacitinib, ruxolitinib and baricitinib belong to first generation JAK inhibitors and decernotinib and filgotinib belong to second group. This narrative review summarizes the role of Janus kinase inhibitors in the therapy of psoriasis. Oral JAK inhibitors show promise for efficacy and safety in the treatment of psoriasis. Studies to date do not indicate that JAK inhibitors are superior to recent biologic drugs in terms of efficacy. However, JAK inhibitors, due to their lack of increased incidence of side effects compared to other biologic drugs, can be included in the psoriasis treatment algorithm because they are orally taken. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to evaluate long-term treatment effects with these drugs.

Is Psoriatic Arthritis Associated With Higher Risk of Mortality?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting domains beyond the musculoskeletal system, and may lead to disability and impaired quality of life. It is associated with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of cardiovascular events.

The Association of Psoriatic Arthritis With All-cause Mortality and Leading Causes of Death in Psoriatic Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and all-cause mortality from a large population-based database.

METHODS

Patients with PsA from the Clalit Health Services database were identified between 2003-2018 and matched to 4 controls by age, sex, ethnicity, and index date. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatments were extracted. Mortality data were obtained from the Israeli Notification of Death certificate. The proportionate mortality rate (PMR) of the leading causes of death was calculated and compared to that of the general population. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the crude and the multivariate adjusted HR for the association between PsA and all-cause mortality and for factors associated with mortality within the PsA group.

RESULTS

There were 5275 patients with PsA and 21,011 controls included and followed for 7.2 ± 4.4 years. The mean age was 51.7 ± 15.4 years, and 53% were females. Among patients with PsA, 38.2% were on biologics. Four hundred seventy-one (8.9%) patients died in the PsA group compared to 1668 (7.9%) in the control group. The crude HR for the association of PsA and all-cause mortality was 1.16 (95% CI 1.04-1.29) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.90-1.15) on multivariate analysis. Malignancy was the leading cause of death (26%), followed by ischemic heart disease (15.8%); this is in keeping with the leading causes of death in the general population. Older age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, increased BMI, increased Charlson comorbidity index scores, and history of psoriasis or hospitalization in 1 year prior to entry were positive predictors for mortality.

CONCLUSION

No clinically relevant increase in mortality rate was observed in patients with PsA, and specific PMRs were similar to those of the general population.

Health-related quality of life in early psoriatic arthritis compared with early rheumatoid arthritis and a general population

OBJECTIVE

Both psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a significant impact on quality of life, but few reports have compared the two diseases. The current study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PsA at diagnosis and after five years compared with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a matched general population.

METHODS

Patients with early PsA and early RA included in two Swedish registries with HRQoL data measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) at baseline and at five years follow-up were included. Differences in SF-36 scores compared with the general population were calculated for each patient. Physical function, disease activity, the delay before diagnosis, pain, and general wellbeing were used as explanatory variables. Statistical tests included t-tests and univariate and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS

PsA (n = 166) and RA (n = 133) patients of both sexes had significantly reduced HRQoL at disease onset. After five years, PsA patients still had impairments in several domains of SF-36, whereas RA patients had an almost normalized HRQoL. The time from symptom onset to diagnosis, disease activity, and disability independently contributed to the reduced improvement in PsA.

CONCLUSION

Both early PsA and RA are characterized by severely reduced HRQoL. Despite more severe disease at inclusion, normalization of HRQoL is seen in patients with RA but not PsA. This may be due to delay in the diagnosis of PsA or more powerful interventions in RA. Earlier detection, lifestyle intervention, and more aggressive management strategies may be needed for PsA.

Cardiovascular Disease in Spondyloarthritides

The spondyloarthritides are a group of chronic systemic inflammatory joint diseases, the main types being ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Evidence accumulating during the last decades suggests that patients with AS or PsA carry an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular death. This risk appears to be mediated by systemic inflammation over and above classical cardiovascular risk factors. The excess cardiovascular risk in those patients has been formally acknowledged by scientific organizations, which have called physicians' attention to the matter. The application by Rheumatologists of new effective anti-rheumatic treatments and treat-to-target strategies seems to benefit patients from a cardiovascular point of view, as well. However, more data are needed in order to verify whether anti-rheumatic treatments do have an effect on cardiovascular risk and whether there are differences among them in this regard. Most importantly, a higher level of awareness of the cardiovascular risk is needed among patients and healthcare providers, better tools to recognize at-risk patients and, ultimately, commitment to address in parallel both the musculoskeletal and the cardiovascular aspect of the disease.

Trends in mortality and cause-specific mortality among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

There is limited information about mortality rates among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in North America and their change over the past 2 decades.

OBJECTIVE

To compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in patients with psoriasis to the general population in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2016.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study of adult residents using administrative health data. All-cause and cause-specific standardized mortality rates, standardized mortality ratios, and excess mortality rates were calculated.

RESULTS

176,858 (2,524 deaths) patients with psoriasis and 15,430 (221 deaths) patients with PsA were identified in 2016. Patients with psoriasis and PsA had standardized excess mortality rates of 1.44 and 2.43 per 1000 population, respectively. Standardized mortality rates decreased by approximately 30% over the study period in both disease groups but remained significantly elevated compared to the general population. The leading causes of death in psoriasis and PsA patients were cancer, circulatory disease, and respiratory conditions.

LIMITATIONS

We were unable to classify patients according to disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in psoriasis treatment, the relative excess mortality, which may be related to risk factors for psoriatic disease, remained unchanged, with an average of approximately 1 to 2 extra deaths per 1,000 patients in 2016.

Changes in Lipid Levels and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events Following Tofacitinib Treatment in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: A Pooled Analysis Across Phase III and Long-Term Extension Studies

OBJECTIVE

The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to the general population. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of PsA. Because tofacitinib increases circulating lipid levels in some patients, we evaluated CVD risk factors and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with active PsA receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily plus conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

METHODS

Data were pooled from 2 phase III studies (Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis [OPAL Broaden] and Tofacitinib in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis With Inadequate Response to TNF Inhibitors [OPAL Beyond]) and 1 ongoing long-term extension (Open-Label Extension Study of Tofacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis [OPAL Balance], data cutoff January 2017; database not locked). Outcomes included fasting lipid levels, blood pressure, hypertension-related adverse events (AEs; including hypertension, high blood pressure, and increased blood pressure), and MACE.

RESULTS

Overall, 783 tofacitinib-treated patients were included. Percentage increases from baseline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels ranged from 9% to 14% for tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg at 3 and 6 months; no meaningful changes in LDL-c:HDL-c or total cholesterol:HDL-c ratios were observed. Blood pressure remained stable for 24 months. Fifty-eight patients (7.4%) had hypertension-related AEs; none were fatal (incidence rate [IR] per 100 patient-years 4.81 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 3.65-6.22]). Five patients (0.6%) had MACE (IR 0.24 [95% CI 0.05-0.70]); 2 were fatal.

CONCLUSION

Serum lipid level increases at month 3 following tofacitinib treatment in PsA were consistent with observations in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The IR of hypertension-related AEs and MACE was low; long-term follow-up is ongoing.

Malignancy and mortality rates in patients with severe psoriatic arthritis requiring tumour-necrosis factor alpha inhibition: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of cancer and all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates among a cohort of patients with severe PsA receiving TNF inhibitor (TNFi) with those of the general UK population.

Methods

Cancers and deaths were identified from the national cancer and the national death registers in patients with PsA included in the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register from start of TNFi until 31 December 2012. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using published cancer and death rates for the general population. SIRs were calculated for both overall cancer risk and non-melanoma skin cancer. SMRs were calculated for (1) all-cause mortality, (2) death from malignancy and (3) death from circulatory disease. Gender-specific analyses were also performed.

Results

Thirty-four cancers and 41 deaths among 709 patients were observed. The risk of malignancy overall was not increased (SIR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.34). However, there was a significantly increased incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (SIR 2.12; 95% CI: 1.19, 3.50). The all-cause mortality rate in our cohort was increased (SMR 1.56; CI: 1.12, 2.11). Death from malignancy was not increased, but death from coronary heart disease was increased (SMR 2.42; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.59).

Conclusion

In our cohort of patients with severe PsA, the overall incidence of malignancy was similar to that of the general population, although the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was increased. All-cause mortality was significantly increased, in part due to excess of deaths attributed to coronary heart disease.

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis

The cardiovascular burden in inflammatory rheumatic diseases is well recognized. Recently, this burden has been highlighted in ankylosing spondylitis (also known as radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) and psoriatic arthritis. We review the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these diseases, as well as the prevalence and incidence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We examine the contribution of anti-inflammatory therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and TNF inhibitors on the cardiovascular risk profile. Finally, we examine the available recommendations for the management of cardiovascular comorbidity, as they apply to the spondyloarthritis population.

Increased Risk of Hypertension Associated with Spondyloarthritis Disease Duration: Results from the ASAS-COMOSPA Study

OBJECTIVE

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is associated with a number of cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities. We examined the association of SpA disease duration and delay in diagnosis with CV-related conditions.

METHODS

Using data from the COMOSPA study, the associations between SpA disease duration and CV-related conditions were evaluated in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Each model examined 1 CV-related factor as dependent and "SpA disease duration" as a predictor, adjusted for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Data from 3923 subjects (median SpA disease duration 5.1 yrs, interquartile range 1.3-11.8 yrs) were available for analysis. The main CV-related conditions were hypertension (HTN; 22.4%), ischemic heart disease (2.6%), stroke (1.3%), and diabetes mellitus (5.5%). HTN was associated with SpA disease duration in both univariable and multivariable analysis, with an OR of 1.129 (95% CI 1.072-1.189; p < 0.001) for each 5-year increase in SpA disease duration. Other factors associated with HTN were age, male sex, current body mass index, ever steroid therapy, and ever synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy, but not nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). In subgroup analysis, the strongest association of HTN and disease duration was seen in subjects with the axial-only SpA phenotype (OR 1.202, 95% CI 1.053-1.372) but not in those with peripheral-only SpA (OR 0.902, 95% CI 0.760-1.070). The other CV conditions were not associated with SpA disease duration.

CONCLUSION

Duration of SpA disease in the ASAS-COMOSPA cohort is associated with higher odds of HTN, particularly in those with axial disease, but not with other CV-related conditions. The association with HTN does not appear to be related to NSAID exposure.

Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that affects 14%- 30% of patients with skin and/or nail psoriasis, leading to severe physical limitations and disability. It has been included in the group of spondyloarthropathy with which it shares clinical, radiologic, and serologic features in addition to familial and genetic relationship. Beyond skin and joint involvement, psoriatic arthritis is characterized by a high prevalence of extra-articular manifestation and comorbidities, such as autoimmune, infectious and neoplastic diseases. In particular, an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidity has been observed in psoriatic arthritis patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE) up until January 2017. Studies were included if they contained data on CV disease and/or risk factors in PsA and each article was then reviewed for quality and clinical relevance. After completing the literature search all screened literature was summarized and discussed in our study group (CaRDDs study group). All literature and comments were included in the systematic review.

RESULTS

The initial search produced 278 abstracts, which were narrowed to 83 potentially relevant articles by preliminary review of the titles and by excluding review articles and case report (n = 195). Thirty articles were deemed ineligible after examining the abstracts. Full texts of the remaining 53 articles were retrieved. The majority of articles excluded were due to only providing data on patients with psoriasis or due to being not relevant to the CV risk in PsA. In the end, 32 articles were deemed eligible for this review.

CONCLUSION

Psoriatic arthritis appeared significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction and, in turn, with an increased cardiovascular risk. Thus, patients with psoriatic arthritis may benefit from a periodic assessment of surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk. This could help to establish more specific cardiovascular prevention strategies for these patients.

Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease: the elusive link

Psoriasis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, with its most common coexisting condition, psoriatic arthritis, seem to be more than just a local skin or joint disease, as evidence has accumulated over the years that it is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may confer an increased cardiovascular event and death rate. The data come mostly from observational studies and meta-analyses and indicate a potential pathogenetic link between these two systemic diseases, however definite proof of this detrimental relationship awaits further prospective studies. Newer anti-psoriatic biologic therapies seem to confer a cardiovascular benefit, but this needs future randomized controlled studies to confirm. All these intricate issues of a potential link between psoriasis and CVD are discussed and elaborated in this overview, in an attempt to shed further light on pivotal aspects of the association between psoriasis and CVD.

Cause-specific mortality in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding causes of mortality in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk and leading causes of mortality in patients with psoriasis or PsA.

METHODS

Individuals with a hospital-based diagnosis of PsA or psoriasis were identified using the Danish National Patient Registry. Matched control individuals were identified from the general population. The main outcome measures were risk of death and cause-specific mortality in patients with psoriasis or PsA.

RESULTS

Death rates per 1000 patient-years (with 95% confidence intervals) vs. controls were 22·3 (19·7-24·9) vs. 13·9 (11·8-16·0) for patients with psoriasis and 10·8 (8·9-12·8) vs. 11·6 (9·6-13·6) for patients with PsA. Survival, according to stratified hazard ratios (HRs), was significantly lower in patients with psoriasis than in controls (HR 1·74, P < 0·001), but not in patients with PsA (HR 1·06, P = 0·19). Significantly increased risk of death was observed in patients with psoriasis vs. controls due to a number of causes; the highest risks were observed for diseases of the digestive system; endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; and certain infectious and parasitic diseases (HRs 3·61, 3·02 and 2·71, respectively). In patients with PsA, increased mortality was observed only for certain infectious and parasitic diseases (HR 2·80) and diseases of the respiratory system (HR 1·46). Patients with psoriasis died at a younger age than controls (mean age 71·0 vs. 74·5 years, P < 0·001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with severe psoriasis have increased mortality risk compared with matched controls, due to a number of causes. Evidence to support an increased risk for patients with PsA was less convincing.