Association between the type and length of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy and myocardial infarction risk in patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess whether the type of TNF inhibitor therapy (soluble receptor versus monoclonal antibody) has an effect on MI risk; and determine whether length of TNF inhibitor therapy has an effect on MI risk.
DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING: Between January 1, 2004 and November 30, 2010. PARTICIPANTS: At least 3 ICD9 codes for psoriasis (696.1) or psoriatic arthritis (696.0) (without antecedent MI). INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incident MI.
RESULTS: In the 3 subgroups of TNF inhibitors, 976 received etanercept; 217 received monoclonal antibody; and 480 received etanercept or monoclonal antibody, in addition, 5075 received topical therapy and 2097 received oral therapy. In the Cox proportional hazards analysis, etanercept (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.31-0.92) was associated with a significant reduction of MI risk, compared to topical agents and, monoclonal antibody only (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.06-1.03), and etanercept or monoclonal antibody (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.27-1.06) were associated with a non-significant reduction of MI risk compared to topical agents. Using year 1 as reference, those who received TNF inhibitor therapy at year 2 (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.30-4.44), at year 3 (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.64-5.58), and at year 4 and above (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.46-2.94) had a non-significant increase of MI risk.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with etanercept, compared to treatment with topical agents, was associated with a significant decreased risk of MI in psoriasis patients. Treatment with monoclonal antibody and etanercept or monoclonal antibody, compared to treatment with topical agents, was associated with a non-significant decreased risk of MI risk in psoriasis patients. There were no statistically significant changes in risk of MI associated with length of TNF inhibitor treatment.