The effect of adalimumab on reducing depression symptoms in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is associated with health-related quality-of-life impairment and depression.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the effect of adalimumab on depression symptoms in patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial were assessed for depression symptoms at baseline and week 12 or early termination (ET) using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZDS). The effects of adalimumab (40 mg every other week) versus placebo on ZDS score at week 12/ET were assessed using analysis of covariance. Relationships between ZDS and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey were assessed using Pearson correlations. Changes in ZDS score were compared for patients with and without a 75% or greater reduction in baseline PASI score.


RESULTS
Compared with the placebo group (n = 52), the adalimumab group (n = 44) experienced an additional 6-point reduction in ZDS score (95% confidence interval: 2.5-9.5; P < .001) by week 12/ET. Depression improvement was correlated with improvement in PASI (r = 0.5; P < .0001) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (r = 0.5; P < .0001). Greater ZDS score improvement was observed at week 12/ET in responders with a 75% or greater reduction in baseline PASI score than in nonresponders (10.6 [SD = 9.4] vs 1.4 [SD = 9.6]; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis cannot distinguish whether adalimumab has a direct or indirect effect on depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Adalimumab treatment reduced psoriasis symptoms, reduced depression symptoms, and improved health-related quality of life in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Menter
Alan
A
Baylor Psoriasis Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA. amderm@gmail.com
Augustin
Matthias
M
Signorovitch
James
J
Yu
Andrew P
AP
Wu
Eric Q
EQ
Gupta
Shiraz R
SR
Bao
Yanjun
Y
Mulani
Parvez
P
D000068879:Adalimumab; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000068879:Adalimumab