HealthCert Blog

Biological treatments show a long-term sustained effect on psoriasis, according to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology. The study offers new information on previously unchartered psoriasis treatments.

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disease affecting about three percent of the western population. Moderate to severe psoriasis is associated with a risk for cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity.

Biologics – a new class of drugs introduced two decades ago for the treatment of psoriasis – transformed the treatment of the disease by providing better skin clearance rates and improved quality of life. However, most studies into this treatment, have focused on the short-term outcomes of single biological agents and little has been known about long-term outcomes in clinical practice, where switching between agents is common.

Recently, a Swedish study published findings that show a satisfactory long-term effectiveness of biologic treatments. The study followed 583 individuals over 10 years and found that these effects do not diminish over time.

Researchers at Umeå University and the Swedish Institute for Health Economics found significant differences in treatment outcomes before and after patients switched to biological treatment. These improved outcomes were the same at both five months and 10 years.

Previous studies have been initiated by the industry and conducted in controlled settings that are ultimately beneficial for their product. Those studies can thereby not predict how a product will perform under real-life circumstances, the researchers reported.

They hope these new results may support clinicians in initiating and continuing biological treatment for patients with poor outcomes under conventional treatment.

Source:
Hjalte, F., Steen Carlsson, K. & Schmitt-Egenolf, M. (23 June 2017) Sustained PASI, DLQI and EQ-5D response of biological treatment in psoriasis: 10 years of real-world data in the Swedish National Psoriasis Register. British Journal of Dermatology. DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15757.

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