Efficacy and safety of long-term infliximab therapy in moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Aim. Psoriasis is a genetically determined, chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 2% of the general population; it may cause physical discomfort and potential psychological effects which may interfere with the quality of life. Patients with psoriatic arthritis show greater impairment of their quality of life and longer disease duration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term infliximab therapy of psoriasis. Methods. Efficacy and safety of long-term (week-102) infliximab therapy were evaluated in 34 plaque-type and 34 psoriatic arthritis patients, all not responsive or with contraindications to conventional therapies. Infusions, 5 mg/kg, were at week-0,2,6, followed by maintenance every 8 weeks. Results. Improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (>75%) was in 85.3% of plaque-type patients at week-6, in 92.3% at week-22, in 62.5% at week-46, in 50% at week-102. Improvement in Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (>75%) was in 55.88% of arthropathic patients at week-6, in 92.3% at week-22, in 94.11% at week-46, in 77.7% at week-102. Improvement in Pain Scale (>75%) was in 100% of arthropathic patients at week-6, in 92.3% at week-22, in 100% at week-46, in 100% at week-102. No serious adverse events were noted. Conclusion. Infliximab appears to be an effective long-term therapy for psoriasis and may have a lower incidence of side effects than traditional systemic therapies.