title: Effects of Apremilast on Pruritus and Skin Discomfort/Pain Correlate With Improvements in Quality of Life in Patients With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis.
abstract: Pruritus and skin discomfort/pain negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The effects of apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on pruritus, skin discomfort/pain, and patient global assessment of psoriasis disease activity (PgAPDA) were assessed in moderate/severe chronic plaque psoriasis patients in the phase 3 ESTEEM trials. Significant improvements in pruritus and skin discomfort/pain observed at Week 2 with apremilast versus placebo (both studies, p < 0.0001) were sustained through Week 32. Among apremilast-treated patients, improvements in pruritus visual analog scale (VAS) scores correlated with Dermatology Life Quality Index scores (rs = 0.55 [Week 16], rs≥0.51 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001). PgAPDA correlated with improvements in pruritus (rs≥0.56 [Week 16]; rs≥0.53 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001) and skin discomfort/pain (rs ≥0.54 [Week 16]; rs≥0.53 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001) VAS scores. Apremilast provided rapid and sustained improvement in pruritus and skin discomfort/pain, symptoms not typically captured in psoriasis assessments (e.g., PASI) that contribute significantly to patients' disease severity and HRQoL perceptions.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, , 02467 Chestnut Hill, USA. jsobell@skincarephysicians.net.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sobell
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mrowietz
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Girolomoni
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goncalves
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Rongdean
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosipovitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; D013792:Thalidomide; C505730:apremilast