Adverse events and discontinuation of psoriasis systemic treatments

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This study looked at adverse events associated with discontinuation of systemic treatments in psoriasis patients.

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Background:
Little is known about the adverse events (AEs) that lead to suspension of systemic treatments of psoriasis in clinical practice.

Objective:
The study aimed to investigate to AEs associated with discontinuation of systemic therapy in patients with psoriasis in a clinical setting (Biobadaderm).

Materials and methods:
Multicenter, prospective, cohort study of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis receiving systemic therapies from January 2008 to November 2015, in 12 hospitals in Spain. The incidence rate (IR) was used to compare biologics and classic systemic therapies.

Results:
A total of 4218 courses of treatment were used in 1938 patients. A total of 447 (11%) treatments were discontinued due to AEs. The IR of AE associated with discontinuation of systemic therapies was 13 events/100 patient-years (PY) (95%CI:12.14-13.93), 9.34 events/100PY (95% CI:8.44-10.33) for biologics and 19.67 (95%CI:17.9-21.6) events/100PY for classics (p< 0.001). Of 810 discontinuation-related AEs, 117 (14%) were serious. The highest IRs were for cyclosporine [49.18/100PY (95%CI:41.91-57.72)] and infliximab [26.52/100PY (95%CI:20.98-33.51). Ustekinumab presented the lowest IR (2.6/100PY (95%CI:1.83-3.69).

Limitations:
Observational study with potential selection bias.

Conclusion:

Biologic therapies are associated with a lower rate of discontinuation-related AEs than are classic therapies in real clinical practice. Ustekinumab showed the lowest incidence.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown.