Self-reported health outcomes in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis randomized to two etanercept regimens

Background: Moderate/severe psoriasis combined with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) impairs health-related quality of life (QoL). Etanercept, a fully human tumour necrosis factor-α receptor fusion protein, is approved for treatment of both diseases.

Objective: To compare patient-reported health outcomes (PROs) of two etanercept regimens in patients with moderate/severe psoriasis and PsA.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, multicenter study, participants received etanercept 50 mg twice weekly (BIW; n = 379) or 50 mg weekly (QW; n = 373) for 12 weeks and open-label etanercept 50 mg QW for 12 additional weeks. PROs included: the EuroQOL-5D (EQ-5D), which measures general health status and consists of the utility index measuring five dimensions of health, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) allowing patients to assess health status; the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), which measures the impact of skin disease on QoL; the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), an assessment of physical function; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), which screens for anxiety and depression symptoms; and individual questions on general health, disease activity, fatigue, itching, joint pain and morning stiffness.

Results: At baseline, patients reported QoL worse than that seen in many chronic medical conditions. Significant within-group improvements in each PRO occurred from baseline to Week 12 (P < 0.001) in both groups and were maintained at Week 24; DLQI, EQ-5D, HAQ-DI and self assessments improved significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline as early as Week 3. At Week 12, but not Week 24, improvement in DLQI, itching and psoriasis activity was greater in the BIW arm (P ≤ 0.004). Improvements in other PROs were always similar between groups.

Conclusions: Greater improvements in PROs specific to skin disorders were seen with etanercept BIW than QW at Week 12, but not at Week 24. Both etanercept regimens led to sustained PRO improvements, starting as early as Week 3.