title: Biological therapy for psoriatic arthritis in clinical practice: outcomes up to 2 years.
abstract: 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.
authors: University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Liisa M
authors: LM
authors: Virkki
authors: Bindu C
authors: BC
authors: Sumathikutty
authors: Merja
authors: M
authors: Aarnio
authors: Heikki
authors: H
authors: Valleala
authors: Riitta
authors: R
authors: Heikkilä
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Kauppi
authors: Krista
authors: K
authors: Karstila
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pirilä
authors: Päivi
authors: P
authors: Ekman
authors: Sirpa
authors: S
authors: Salomaa
authors: Matti
authors: M
authors: Romu
authors: Jouko
authors: J
authors: Seppälä
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Niinisalo
authors: Yrjö T
authors: YT
authors: Konttinen
authors: Dan C
authors: DC
authors: Nordström
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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