Philip J Mease1. 1. Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Swedish Medical Center, Rheumatology Research Division, and University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, Washington 98104, USA. pmease@nwlink.com
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper will review the data published in 2004 on the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, which arthritis affects 6 to 39% of all patients with psoriasis. RECENT FINDINGS: New data from placebo-controlled trials of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab continue to show sustained effectiveness of these therapies in their ability to control the symptoms and signs of both arthritis and psoriasis, improve quality of life and function, and inhibit disease progression as measured by radiologic changes. Medications that inhibit T cells have been approved for the treatment of psoriasis and have been studied in psoriatic arthritis. The effectiveness of one of these agents, efalizumab, did not achieve statistical significance in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The results of a trial with a second agent, alefacept are pending public review. SUMMARY: There has been a persistent increased focus on the diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis as newer and more effective drugs than traditional disease-modifying agents have become available.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper will review the data published in 2004 on the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, which arthritis affects 6 to 39% of all patients with psoriasis. RECENT FINDINGS: New data from placebo-controlled trials of anti-tumornecrosis factor agents, etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab continue to show sustained effectiveness of these therapies in their ability to control the symptoms and signs of both arthritis and psoriasis, improve quality of life and function, and inhibit disease progression as measured by radiologic changes. Medications that inhibit T cells have been approved for the treatment of psoriasis and have been studied in psoriatic arthritis. The effectiveness of one of these agents, efalizumab, did not achieve statistical significance in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. The results of a trial with a second agent, alefacept are pending public review. SUMMARY: There has been a persistent increased focus on the diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis as newer and more effective drugs than traditional disease-modifying agents have become available.
Authors: Jacob N Ablin; Zacharinka Goldstein; Valerie Aloush; Hagit Matz; Ori Elkayam; Dan Caspi; Shmuel Swartzenberg; Jacob George; Yonit Wohl Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2008-08-15 Impact factor: 2.631
Authors: Chen N Young; Jay I Koepke; Laura J Terlecky; Michael S Borkin; Savoy L Boyd; Stanley R Terlecky Journal: J Invest Dermatol Date: 2008-05-08 Impact factor: 8.551