Impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of psoriasis with systemic therapies in France: Results from the PSOBIOTEQ cohort

BACKGROUND

The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic led to concerns among patients and physicians about the potential impact of immunosuppressive treatments for chronic diseases such as psoriasis on the risk of severe COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES

To describe treatment modifications and determine the incidence of COVID-19 infection among psoriasis patients during the first wave of the pandemic, and identify the factors associated with these events.

METHODS

Data from PSOBIOTEQ cohort relating to the first COVID-19 wave in France (March to June, 2020), as well as a patient-centred COVID-19 questionnaire, were used to evaluate the impact of lockdown on changes (discontinuations, delays or reductions) in systemic therapies, and to determine the incidence of COVID-19 cases among these patients. Logistic regression models were used to assess associated factors.

RESULTS

Among the 1751 respondents (89.3%), 282 patients (16.9%) changed their systemic treatment for psoriasis, with 46.0% of these changes being initiated by the patients themselves. Patients were more likely to experience psoriasis flare-ups during the first wave if they changed their treatment during this period (58.7% vs 14.4%; P < 0.0001). Changes to systemic therapies were less frequent among patients with cardiovascular diseases (P < 0.001), and those aged ≥ 65 years (P = 0.02). Overall, 45 patients (2.9%) reported having COVID-19, and eight (17.8%) required hospitalization. Risk factors for COVID-19 infection were close contact with a positive case (P < 0.001) and living in a region with a high incidence of COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Factors associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 were avoiding seeing a physician (P = 0.002), systematically wearing a mask during outings (P = 0.011) and being a current smoker (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

Discontinuation of systemic psoriasis treatments during the first COVID-19 wave (16.9%) - mainly decided by patients themselves (46.0%) - was associated with a higher incidence of disease flares (58.7% vs 14.4%). This observation and factors associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 highlight the need to maintain and adapt patient-physician communication during health crises according to patient profiles, with the aim of avoiding unnecessary treatment discontinuations and ensuring that patients are informed about the risk of infection and the importance of complying with hygiene rules.

Biologic tapering for patients with psoriasis with low disease activity: data from the French PsoBioTeq Registry

Dose tapering strategies with biologics in psoriasis may lower the treatment burden over time, while enabling high therapeutic response maintenance in patients benefiting from them. Our results should contribute to developing clinical guidelines to fill the current gap in knowledge on this promising therapeutic approach

Non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy in people with psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a global cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Non-adherence to immune-modifying therapy is a complex behaviour which, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was shown to be associated with mental health disorders in people with immune-mediated diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression, and limited data exist on the association between mental health and non-adherence to immune modifying therapy during the pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the extent of and reasons underlying non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with psoriasis, and the association between mental health and non-adherence.

METHODS

Online self-report surveys (PsoProtectMe), including validated screens for anxiety and depression, were completed globally during the first year of the pandemic. We assessed the association between anxiety or depression and non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy using binomial logistic regression, adjusting for potential cofounders (age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidity), and country of residence.

RESULTS

Of 3980 participants from 77 countries, 1611 (40.5%) were prescribed a systemic immune-modifying therapy. Of these, 408 (25.3%) reported non-adherence during the pandemic, most commonly due to concerns about their immunity. In the unadjusted model, a positive anxiety screen was associated with non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.07-1.76). Specifically, anxiety was associated with non-adherence to targeted therapy (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.01-1.96) but not standard systemic therapy (OR 1.16, 95%CI 0.81-1.67). In the adjusted model, although the directions of the effects remained, anxiety was not significantly associated with non-adherence to overall systemic (OR 1.20, 95%CI 0.92-1.56) or targeted (OR 1.33, 95%CI 0.94-1.89) immune-modifying therapy. A positive depression screen was not strongly associated with non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy in the unadjusted (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.94-1.57) or adjusted models (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.87-1.49).

CONCLUSION

These data indicate substantial non-adherence to immune-modifying therapy in people with psoriasis during the pandemic, with attenuation of the association with mental health after adjusting for confounders. Future research in larger populations should further explore pandemic-specific drivers of treatment non-adherence. Clear communication of the reassuring findings from population-based research regarding immune-modifying therapy-associated adverse COVID-19 risks to people with psoriasis is essential, to optimise adherence and disease outcomes.

Switches between biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: results from the French cohort PSOBIOTEQ

BACKGROUND

Biologics are the cornerstone of treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and switches between biologics are frequently needed to maintain clinical improvement over time.

OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of this study was to describe precisely switches between biologics and how their pattern changed over time with the recent availability of new biologic agents.

METHODS

We included patients receiving a first biologic agent in the Psobioteq multicenter cohort of adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis receiving systemic treatment. We described switches between biologics with chronograms, Sankey and Sunburst diagrams, assessed cumulative incidence of first switch by competing risks survival analysis and reasons for switching. We assessed the factors associated with the type of switch (intra-class - i.e. within the same therapeutic class - vs. inter-class) in patients switching from a TNF-alpha inhibitor using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 2153 patients was included. The cumulative incidence of switches from first biologic was 34% at 3 years. Adalimumab and ustekinumab were the most prescribed biologic agents as first and second lines of treatment. The main reason for switching was loss of efficacy (72%), followed by adverse events (11%). Patients receiving a TNF-alpha inhibitor before 2016 mostly switched to ustekinumab, whereas those switching in 2016 or after mostly switched to an IL-17 inhibitor. Patients switching from a first-line TNF-alpha inhibitor before 2016 were more likely to switch to another TNF-alpha inhibitor compared with patients switching since 2018. Patients switching from etanercept were more likely to receive another TNF-alpha inhibitor rather than another therapeutic class of bDMARD compared with patients switching from adalimumab.

CONCLUSION

This study described the switching patterns of biologic treatments and showed how they changed over time, due to the availability of the new biologic agents primarily IL-17 inhibitors.

Children with psoriasis and COVID-19: factors associated with an unfavourable COVID-19 course, and the impact of infection on disease progression (Chi-PsoCov registry)

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions regarding the management of chronic skin diseases, especially in patients on systemic treatments. Data concerning the use of biologics in adults with psoriasis are reassuring, but data specific to children are missing. Moreover, COVID-19 could impact the course of psoriasis in children.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was therefore to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the psoriasis of children, and the severity of the infection in relation to systemic treatments.

METHODS

We set up an international registry of paediatric psoriasis patients. Children were included if they were under 18 years of age, had a history of psoriasis, or developed it within 1 month of COVID-19 and had COVID-19 with or without symptoms.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty episodes of COVID-19 in 117 children (mean age: 12.4 years) were reported. The main clinical form of psoriasis was plaque type (69.4%). Most children were without systemic treatment (54.2%); 33 (28.3%) were on biologic therapies, and 24 (20%) on non-biologic systemic drugs. COVID-19 was confirmed in 106 children (88.3%) and 3 children had two COVID-19 infections each. COVID-19 was symptomatic for 75 children (62.5%) with a mean duration of 6.5 days, significantly longer for children on non-biologic systemic treatments (P = 0.02) and without systemic treatment (P = 0.006) when compared with children on biologics. The six children who required hospitalization were more frequently under non-biologic systemic treatment when compared with the other children (P = 0.01), and particularly under methotrexate (P = 0.03). After COVID-19, the psoriasis worsened in 17 cases (15.2%). Nine children (8%) developed a psoriasis in the month following COVID-19, mainly a guttate form (P = 0.01).

DISCUSSION

Biologics appear to be safe with no increased risk of severe form of COVID-19 in children with psoriasis. COVID-19 was responsible for the development of psoriasis or the worsening of a known psoriasis for some children.

POS1023 LONG-TERM SAFETY OF RISANKIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC DISEASE: FINDINGS FROM INTEGRATED ANALYSES OF 17 CLINICAL TRIALS IN PSORIASIS AND 4 IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background

Risankizumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor, was efficacious and well tolerated in phase 2 and 3 clinical studies in patients with psoriatic disease.

Objectives

To report long-term risankizumab safety in patients with psoriatic disease.

Methods

Risankizumab safety data to March 25, 2021 were pooled from 17 phase 1–3 clinical trials in plaque psoriasis (PsO) and 4 phase 2/3 trials in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Adverse events (AEs) of safety interest were reported for patients receiving ≥1 dose risankizumab.

Results

Among 3197 patients with PsO (9982.6 patient years’ [PY] exposure; median (range) treatment duration, 3.7 years [1 day–6.9 years]) and 1542 patients with PsA (1594.9 PY; 1.0 year [84 days–2.0 years]), rates of treatment-emergent AEs (158.3 and 160.8 events (E)/100PY), serious AEs (7.6 and 8.4 E/100PY) and AEs leading to discontinuation (1.9 and 2.3 E/100PY) were similar. Nasopharyngitis (PsO 14.5 E/100PY, PsA 7.9 E/100PY) and upper respiratory infection (PsO 7.8 E/100PY, PsA 5.6 E/100PY) were the most common infections; sepsis and pneumonia for PsO (0.1 E/100PY each) and COVID-19 for PsA (0.4 E/100PY) were the most common serious infections. Rates of opportunistic fungal infections were <0.1 and 0.1 E/100PY in PsO/PsA patients. Rates of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) were 0.7 and 0.4 E/100PY, and malignant tumors excluding NMSC were 0.6 and 0.3 E/100PY in PsO/PsA patients. Rates of major adverse cardiovascular events were 0.5 and 0.4 E/100PY in PsO/PsA patients.

Conclusion

Rates of AEs of safety interest remained low in this largest and longest safety reporting for risankizumab to date, supporting the safety of risankizumab for the long-term treatment of patients with psoriatic disease.

References

[1]Gordon KB, et al. Lancet. 2018;392(10148):650-61.

[2]Reich K, et al. Lancet. 2019;394(10198):576-86.

[3]Blauvelt A, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2020;156(6):649-58.

Acknowledgements

AbbVie funded the study, contributed to its design and participated in data collection, analysis and interpretation of the data, and in writing, review, and approval of the publication. All authors had access to relevant data and participated in the drafting, review, and approval of this publication. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Moira Hudson, PhD, and Janet Matsuura, PhD, of ICON (North Wales, PA, USA) and was funded by AbbVie Inc.

Disclosure of Interests

Kenneth B. Gordon Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Dermira, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Sun, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Dermira, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Sun, and UCB, Andrew Blauvelt Consultant of: AbbVie, Abcentra, Aligos, Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, Arena, Aslan, Athenex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly and Company, Evommune, Forte, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Landos, Leo, Novartis, Pfizer, Rapt, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, and UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Abcentra, Aligos, Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, Arena, Aslan, Athenex, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Eli Lilly and Company, Evommune, Forte, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Landos, Leo, Novartis, Pfizer, Rapt, Regeneron, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, and UCB Pharma, Hervé Bachelez Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Bayer, Baxalta, Biocad, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Menarini, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Sandoz, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Bayer, Baxalta, Biocad, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Menarini, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Sandoz, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Bayer, Baxalta, Biocad, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Menarini, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Sandoz, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and UCB, Blair Kaplan Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Willem Koetse Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Leonidas Drogaris Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Ranjeeta Sinvhal Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Kim Papp Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Astellas, Avillion, Bausch Health, Baxalta, Baxter, Boehringer Ingelheim, Botanix, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Coherus, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Kyowa-Hakko Kirin, Leo Pharma, Meiji Sika Pharma, MedImmune, Merck-Serono, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mitsubishi, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Samsung Biopepis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Stiefel, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB, and Valeant, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Astellas, Avillion, Bausch Health, Baxalta, Baxter, Boehringer Ingelheim, Botanix, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Coherus, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Kyowa-Hakko Kirin, Leo Pharma, Meiji Sika Pharma, MedImmune, Merck-Serono, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mitsubishi, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Samsung Biopepis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Stiefel, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB, and Valeant, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Astellas, Avillion, Bausch Health, Baxalta, Baxter, Boehringer Ingelheim, Botanix, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Coherus, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Kyowa-Hakko Kirin, Leo Pharma, Meiji Sika Pharma, MedImmune, Merck-Serono, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Mitsubishi, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Samsung Biopepis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Stiefel, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB, and Valeant

Palmoplantar pustulosis and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau: demographical and clinical comparative study in a large multicentre cohort

Background

Acral pustular disease within the pustular psoriasis/psoriasis‐like spectrum mainly includes palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH). Scarce data argue for a distinction between these two entities, but no study has compared the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of ACH and PPP.

Objectives

We aimed to perform a comparative description of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of PPP and ACH in a multicentre retrospective cohort.

Methods

In this multicentre national retrospective cohort study, we compared the epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities and psoriasis characteristics of patients with PPP and ACH.

Results

A total of 234 patients were included: 203 (87%) with PPP, 18 (8%) with ACH and 13 (6%) with both, according to 2017 ERASPEN criteria. As compared with ACH, PPP was associated with female sex, smoking activity and higher median BMI (P = 0.01, P = 0.02 and P = 0.05 respectively). A family background of psoriasis was more frequent in PPP than ACH. Age of onset of palmoplantar disease was similar between PPP and ACH patients, median age 44 and 48 years respectively. Peripheral joint inflammatory involvement was the only rheumatic disease associated with ACH. The association with another psoriasis type was similar in PPP and ACH (57.6% and 61.1% respectively).

Conclusion

Our study confirms in a large PPP cohort the predominance of females and a high prevalence of smoking and elevated body mass index but also shows an association of these features in PPP as compared with ACH. In addition, it highlights peripheral arthritis as the only arthritis endotype associated with ACH. Increased knowledge of the immunogenetic backgrounds underlying these two entities is warranted to better stratify pustular psoriasis or psoriasis‐like entities for precision medicine.

A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Study Evaluating the Effect of a Standardised Education Programme on Quality of Life, Disease Severity, and Disease Knowledge in Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Psoriasis: The EDUPSO Study

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has a profound effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patient education programmes may help patients to gain life-long control over their chronic disease.

OBJECTIVE

This multicentre randomised controlled study evaluated whether a standardised multidisciplinary education programme was beneficial to psoriasis patients.

METHODS

Adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group to receive an educational programme or to a control group to receive usual care. Randomization was stratified by previous treatment history. The primary outcome was HRQoL, assessed by scoring the Skindex-29 domains emotion, symptom, and functioning. Psoriasis severity was assessed using the psoriasis area severity index (PASI). Levels of perceived stress, patient knowledge about psoriasis, and patient satisfaction were also assessed. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

A total 142 patients formed the intention-to-treat population: 70 in the control group and 72 in the intervention group. Skindex component scores and the PASI were significantly lower at 3, 6, and 12 months as compared to baseline in both groups, but no significant differences were found between the groups. Knowledge about psoriasis improved significantly during follow-up amongst patients from the intervention group compared to controls (68% of correct answers vs. 56%; p < 0.01). Patient satisfaction with psoriasis management and treatment was also better in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

The standardised education programme did not improve HRQoL and disease severity in psoriasis, but led to a significant improvement in patient knowledge about the disease and increased patient satisfaction.

Long-term safety of risankizumab from 17 clinical trials in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

Background

Risankizumab has demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in randomized clinical trials.

Objectives

To evaluate safety data from risankizumab psoriasis phase I–III clinical trials.

Methods

Short‐term safety (through week 16) was analysed using integrated data from five phase II and III clinical trials. Long‐term safety was evaluated using integrated data from 17 phase I–III completed and ongoing trials.

Results

Short‐term safety analyses included 1306 patients receiving risankizumab 150 mg and 300 patients receiving placebo [402·2 and 92·0 patient‐years (PY) of exposure, respectively]. Long‐term analyses included 3072 risankizumab‐treated patients (exposure: 7927 PY). The median (excluding four outliers) treatment duration was 2·9 years (range 2 days to 5·9 years). Exposure‐adjusted adverse event rates did not increase with long‐term treatment (318 vs. 171 events per 100 PY for short‐ and long‐term analyses). With long‐term risankizumab treatment, rates of serious adverse events were 7·8 per 100 PY, serious infections 1·2 per 100 PY, nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) 0·7 per 100 PY, malignant tumours excluding NMSC 0·5 per 100 PY, and adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events 0·3 per 100 PY, with no important identified risks. Limitations include that the study inclusion and exclusion criteria varied and that three studies enrolled ≤ 50 patients.

Conclusions

Risankizumab demonstrated a favourable safety profile over short‐ and long‐term treatment in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.

Whatis already known about this topic?

In clinical trials of patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis, risankizumab, a selective interleukin‐23 inhibitor, was well tolerated and efficacious.

Whatdoes this study add?

In this comprehensive evaluation of risankizumab safety in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, adverse event rates were comparable between risankizumab (n = 1306, 402 patient‐years) and placebo (n = 300, 92 patient‐years) in the short‐term (16‐week) analysis set, and were consistent with those in the long‐term analysis (n = 3072, 7927 patient‐years of risankizumab exposure).

These findings are consistent with the known safety profile of risankizumab and support its long‐term use in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.

Linked Comment: S. Mirali et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:394–395.

Plain language summary available online

Type I interferon response and vascular alteration in chilblain-like lesions during the COVID-19 outbreak

Background

The outbreak of chilblain‐like lesions (CLL) during the COVID‐19 pandemic has been reported extensively, potentially related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, yet its underlying pathophysiology is unclear.

Objectives

To study skin and blood endothelial and immune system activation in CLL in comparison with healthy controls and seasonal chilblains (SC), defined as cold‐induced sporadic chilblains occurring during 2015 and 2019 with exclusion of chilblain lupus.

Methods

This observational study was conducted during 9–16 April 2020 at Saint‐Louis Hospital, Paris, France. All patients referred with CLL seen during this period of the COVID‐19 pandemic were included in this study. We excluded patients with a history of chilblains or chilblain lupus. Fifty patients were included.

Results

Histological patterns were similar and transcriptomic signatures overlapped in both the CLL and SC groups, with type I interferon polarization and a cytotoxic–natural killer gene signature. CLL were characterized by higher IgA tissue deposition and more significant transcriptomic activation of complement and angiogenesis factors compared with SC. We observed in CLL a systemic immune response associated with IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in 73% of patients, and elevated type I interferon blood signature in comparison with healthy controls. Finally, using blood biomarkers related to endothelial dysfunction and activation, and to angiogenesis or endothelial progenitor cell mobilization, we confirmed endothelial dysfunction in CLL.

Conclusions

Our findings support an activation loop in the skin in CLL associated with endothelial alteration and immune infiltration of cytotoxic and type I IFN‐polarized cells leading to clinical manifestations.

Risk-mitigating behaviours in people with inflammatory skin and joint disease during the COVID-19 pandemic differ by treatment type: a cross-sectional patient survey

BACKGROUND

Registry data suggest that people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) receiving targeted systemic therapies have fewer adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes compared with patients receiving no systemic treatments.

OBJECTIVES

We used international patient survey data to explore the hypothesis that greater risk-mitigating behaviour in those receiving targeted therapies may account, at least in part, for this observation.

METHODS

Online surveys were completed by individuals with psoriasis (globally) or rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) (UK only) between 4 May and 7 September 2020. We used multiple logistic regression to assess the association between treatment type and risk-mitigating behaviour, adjusting for clinical and demographic characteristics. We characterized international variation in a mixed-effects model.

RESULTS

Of 3720 participants (2869 psoriasis, 851 RMDs) from 74 countries, 2262 (60·8%) reported the most stringent risk-mitigating behaviour (classified here under the umbrella term 'shielding'). A greater proportion of those receiving targeted therapies (biologics and Janus Kinase inhibitors) reported shielding compared with those receiving no systemic therapy [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1·63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·35-1·97]. The association between targeted therapy and shielding was preserved when standard systemic therapy was used as the reference group (OR 1·39, 95% CI 1·23-1·56). Shielding was associated with established risk factors for severe COVID-19 [male sex (OR 1·14, 95% CI 1·05-1·24), obesity (OR 1·37, 95% CI 1·23-1·54), comorbidity burden (OR 1·43, 95% CI 1·15-1·78)], a primary indication of RMDs (OR 1·37, 95% CI 1·27-1·48) and a positive anxiety or depression screen (OR 1·57, 95% CI 1·36-1·80). Modest differences in the proportion shielding were observed across nations.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater risk-mitigating behaviour among people with IMIDs receiving targeted therapies may contribute to the reported lower risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes. The behaviour variation across treatment groups, IMIDs and nations reinforces the need for clear evidence-based patient communication on risk-mitigation strategies and may help inform updated public health guidelines as the pandemic continues.

Activation endothéliale associée aux ANCA IgA au cours des lésions de lésions acrales pendant l’épidémie de COVID-19

Introduction

Matériel et méthodes

Résultats

Discussion

Out-of-pocket expenditures in France to manage psoriasis in adult patients: results from an observational, cross-sectional, non-comparative, multicentre study

BACKGROUND

In 2018 in France, overall mean health-related out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures were 214.00€/year/patient.

AIM

To evaluate OOP expenditures for psoriasis patients in France.

METHODOLOGY

Observational, cross-sectional, non-comparative, multicentre study in 3000 patients with clinically confirmed psoriasis who responded to a specific digital questionnaire collecting demographic and socio-economic characteristics, assessing the 3 domains (severity, psychosocial impact and past history and interventions) of the patient's Simplified Psoriasis Index (sa-SPI) and expenditures to manage psoriasis, including OOP. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to search for factors associated with higher OOP.

RESULTS

In total, 2681 patients completed the questionnaire and, of those, 2562 provided clinically validated data. Overall, 60% were women; the mean age was 49.4 ± 14.8 years. 30% of the patients declared that they suffered from psoriatic arthritis. The final mean sa-SPI core was 10.86 ± 9.70. Of these 2562 patients, 243 (9.5%) had severe, 442 (17.3%) moderate and 1877 (73.3%) mild psoriasis. In addition, 932 (36.4%) patients reported facial involvement, 724 (28.25%) genital impairment and 1124 (43.8%) lesions on the limbs. Mean OOP expenditures to manage psoriasis per patient were 531.00€, 439.74€ ± 939.85€ for patients with mild, 791.06€ ± 1367.67€ with moderate and 1077.64€ ± 1680.14€ for patients with severe psoriasis. For patients with psoriasis in the genital area, the median amount of expenditures (251.17€; CI95% [138.35;363.99]) was significantly higher than that for the face (183.85€; CI95% [78.76;288.94]) or limbs (199.96€; CI95% [93.77;306.15); (P < 0.001). More than 90% of the patients had OOP expenditures for over-the-counter products (97.5%) and alternative care (92.0%), especially for emollients and/or hydrating products.

CONCLUSION

In France, in 2019, OOP expenditures to manage psoriasis were on average more than twice as high as the overall mean health-related OOP expenditures estimated by the French Health Agency in 2018. These results should lead health authorities to review certain standards of healthcare reimbursement.

Users of biologics in clinical practice: would they be eligible for phase III clinical studies? Cohort Study in the French Psoriasis Registry PSOBIOTEQ

BACKGROUND

Numerous inclusion and exclusion criteria are involved in phase III moderate to severe psoriasis trials investigating the safety and efficacy of biologics. This questions the generalization of results.

METHODS

In this cohort study, we applied inclusion/exclusion criteria for phase III trials from original protocols (adalimumab - REVEAL, ustekinumab - PHOENIX, brodalumab - AMAGINE, secukinumab FIXTURE) to all patients enrolled in the PsoBioTeq prospective registry who received a biological agent for the first time between July 2012 and November 2017. We then compared the efficacy, drug survival and occurrence of adverse events between patients who satisfied/did not satisfy the eligibility criteria for these phase III trials.

RESULTS

A total of 1267 patients were enrolled, of whom 993 (78.4%) were not eligible for at least one RCT (randomized controlled trial) and 251 (19.1%) did not meet the PASI/PGA severity requirements. Apart from disease severity, the most frequent criteria resulting in exclusion were as follows: non-plaque psoriasis (12.6%), significant cardiac disease (8.4%), significant liver disease (7.3%), elevated liver enzymes (4.9-9.6%) and personal history of diabetes (9.2%). There was no difference in drug survival between the two groups. The incidence ratio of adverse events was significantly lower in eligible versus non-eligible patients [0.78 (95% CI 0.62-0.97) (P = 0.03)].

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients treated with biologics in the PsoBioTeq real-life registry would not have been eligible for phase III moderate to severe psoriasis trials. Patients not eligible for psoriasis phase III clinical trials have a higher incidence of adverse events.