Former ?Jacket battling psoriatic arthritis Superior Telegram, MN - Nov 26, 2008 It is estimated that between five and 23 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that ...
Wyeth's new indication for psoriasis drug wins EU positive ... Trading Markets (press release), CA - Nov 24, 2008 ... approved in the EU for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults, as well as for ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, ...
Drugs you can't have Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - Nov 30, 2008 Those sufferers with the "wrong" kind of arthritis. For example, Humira is funded for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis if cheaper conventional treatments ...
Micromet Added to NASDAQ Biotechnology Index MarketWatch - Nov 26, 2008 ... has potential applications in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or multiple sclerosis. ...TO - MITI - IBB
Ayurvedic remedy for arthritis? Deccan Herald, India - Nov 21, 2008 Yet another kind of arthritis is 'Psoriatic Arthritis'. Psoriatic arthritis is associated with the skin disease psoriasis and commonly affects joints of the ...
CHMP Recommends Approval of New Indication for Enbrel(R) as ... Earthtimes (press release), UK - Nov 21, 2008 ... in the European Union for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults, as well as for ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, ...
When health problems are skin deep Chester DailyLocal.com, USA - Aug 4, 2008 Saruk explained that psoriasis could also affect a person's joints. "About 20 to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis will also have psoriatic arthritis," ...
Wellness: Notes on the local scene WilliametteLive.com, OR - Jul 31, 2008 For Psoriasis Awareness Month the foundation's goals of research, advocacy and support are key in finding a cure. The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis ...
Psoriasis: More Than Skin Deep RedOrbit, TX - Jul 13, 2008 "Our review found that people with more severe cases of psoriasis appear to have an increased incidence of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, ...
Stubborn Nail Problems Can Improve from Proper Diagnosis ... Newswise (press release) - Jul 30, 2008 In fact, one study found that the occurrence of nail fungus was 56 percent greater in patients with psoriasis than in non-psoriatic patients. ...
European Commission Announces Marketing Authorisation for 50mg ... PR Newswire UK (press release), UK - Jul 9, 2008 Treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy has been ...
More News related to Press Releases StreetInsider.com (subscription), MI - Jul 15, 2008 People with an immune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or psoriasis, ...AMGN - WYE
NICE, options for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adults
The NICE ( National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ) has developed guidance on the use within the NHS in England and Wales of Etanercept ( Enbrel ) and Efalizumab ( Raptiva ) for the treatment of psoriasis, and Etanercept and Infliximab ( Remicade ) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis is a skin disease, affecting about 2% of the population, in which the normal processes of skin cell replacement are speeded up. Under normal circumstances new skin cells rise to the surface of the skin, and the dead ones at the surface drop off. In people with psoriasis this happens so quickly that the new skin cells get to the surface before the old ones have died and dropped off. This causes raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales which are known as ‘plaques’. Psoriasis does get worse over time, but it can be unpredictable with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
There is no cure for psoriasis but there are a wide range of topical and systemic treatments that can potentially manage the condition.
Most treatments, however, only reduce the severity rather than stop the episodes, and the psoriasis therefore has to be treated continually and on a long-term basis. The burden for the person with psoriasis can be considerable as many of the preparations used to treat the condition have a strong smell, are messy and require application two or three times a day.
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis closely associated with psoriasis. An estimated 5-7% of all people with psoriasis, and approximately 40% of those with extensive skin disease, have psoriatic arthritis. Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a chronic progressive condition whose course may be erratic, with flare-ups and periods of remission.
Treatments for psoriatic arthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS ), physiotherapy, corticosteroid injections, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs ( DMARDs ) and topical therapies. However, there are few drugs that are specifically licensed to treat psoriatic arthritis, and this, combined with the fact that the condition is managed by a number of specialties, has resulted in widespread variations in practice.
The guidance on the use of Etanercept and Efalizumab for the treatment of psoriasis recommends:
- The use of Etanercept, within its licensed indications, as an option for the treatment of adults with severe plaque psoriasis when: other treatments haven’t worked ( for example, Ciclosporin, Methotrexate and ultraviolet radiation ) or, the person is intolerant to, or has a contraindication to, these treatments.
- Treatment with Etanercept should be discontinued if the person’s psoriasis has not shown a measured response after 12 weeks. Further treatment cycles are not recommended in these patients.
- Efalizumab should be offered as an option for treating adults with severe plaque psoriasis if: treatment with Etanercept has not worked or the person is intolerant of, or has contraindications to, treatment with Etanercept.
- Treatment with Efalizumab should be discontinued if the person’s psoriasis has not shown a measured response after 12 weeks.
An measured response is defined as either:
- a 75% reduction in the PASI score from when treatment started ( PASI 75 ) or
- a 50% reduction in the PASI score ( PASI 50 ) and a five-point reduction in DLQI 2 from when treatment started.
The guidance on the use of Etanercept and Infliximab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis recommends:
- Etanercept should be offered as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active psoriatic arthritis when: the person has peripheral arthritis with three or more tender joints and three or more swollen joints and other DMARDs, administered either individually or in combination, have not worked.
- Treatment with Etanercept should be discontinued if the person’s psoriatic arthritis has not shown a measured response after 12 weeks.
- Infliximab should be offered as an option for treatment for treating adults with severe active psoriatic arthritis if: treatment with Etanercept has not worked or, the person is intolerant of, or has contraindications to, treatment with Etanercept.
- Treatment with Infliximab should be discontinued if the person’s psoriatic arthritis has not shown a measured response after 12 weeks.
A measured response is defined as an improvement in at least two of the four Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria ( PsARC ), one of which has to be joint tenderness or swelling score, with no worsening in any of the four criteria.
