title: Clinical remission of psoriatic arthritis in patients receiving continuous biological therapies for 1 year: the experience of an outpatient dermatological clinic for psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The data in the literature concerning the frequency of remission of inflammatory arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited and conflicting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of clinical remission in inflammatory arthritis in a cohort of patients with PsA receiving continuous treatment (1 year) with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors or ustekinumab, as well as the clinical covariates affecting remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 74 patients with PsA attending our psoriasis outpatient dermatology clinic. Remission of PsA was defined as documented absence of clinical signs related to arthritis (no tender or swollen joints), enthesitis or dactylitis. Patients were examined every 3 months for 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 year > 40% of patients had clinical remission of inflammatory arthritis. Predictors of remission were absence of fibromyalgia (FM) at baseline and having < 11 tender joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical remission of inflammatory arthritis can be obtained in a significant proportion of patients by continuous treatment with biological drugs. A large number of tender joints and the presence of FM can make remission less likely.
authors.affiliation: Centre for the Study and Treatment of Psoriasis at the Department of Clinical Dermatology, San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, IRCCS, 00144, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Graceffa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maiani
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sperduti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ceralli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonifati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001685:Biological Factors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha