Biological therapy for psoriatic arthritis in clinical practice: outcomes up to 2 years.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the performance of biological drugs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a routine care setting, using the Finnish national register of biological treatment (ROB-FIN).


METHODS
Patients with PsA who started therapy with infliximab or etanercept between June 2000 and February 2006 (n = 127) were followed for up to 24 months. Response was evaluated using American College of Rheumatology response criteria including individual measures.


RESULTS
Significantly diminished values for swollen and tender joints, patient's global and pain assessments, doctor's global assessment of disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and Health Assessment Questionnaire score were observed within 3 months after commencement of both infliximab and etanercept. Values remained significantly lower throughout the 24 months of followup. ACR20 response at 3 months was 79% (n = 22/28) for infliximab and 76% (n = 34/45) for etanercept. The first biological drug was discontinued in 16% due to lack of effectiveness and in 6% due to adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy, often combined with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, appeared to have limited toxicity and persistent effectiveness for up to 2 years in a cohort of Finnish patients with severe peripheral PsA.
Virkki
Liisa M
LM
University of Helsinki, Finland.
Sumathikutty
Bindu C
BC
Aarnio
Merja
M
Valleala
Heikki
H
Heikkilä
Riitta
R
Kauppi
Markku
M
Karstila
Krista
K
Pirilä
Laura
L
Ekman
Päivi
P
Salomaa
Sirpa
S
Romu
Matti
M
Seppälä
Jouko
J
Niinisalo
Helena
H
Konttinen
Yrjö T
YT
Nordström
Dan C
DC
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000628:therapy*; D000068800:Etanercept; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept