Article

Key clinical point: Both oral and topical Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) led to clinically meaningful improvement in the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), with topical JAKi demonstrating an excellent safety profile and oral JAKi demonstrating an adverse effect (AE) profile that warrants monitoring.

Major finding: Patients receiving JAKi vs. placebo showed a significant improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.79) and the pruritus numerical rating scale score (SMD −0.49; both P < .00001). Although patients in topical JAKi groups experienced no significant AE; however, those in oral JAKi groups were at an increased risk for ≥1 AE (odds ratio 1.23; P < .0001) with the most frequent AE being gastrointestinal disorders (P < .00001) and headache (P = .0003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 25 studies including 9931 patients with AD, of which 2383 and 7548 participants were involved in topical and oral JAKi studies, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. No conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Chen J et al. the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.03.039

Key clinical point: Both oral and topical Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) led to clinically meaningful improvement in the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), with topical JAKi demonstrating an excellent safety profile and oral JAKi demonstrating an adverse effect (AE) profile that warrants monitoring.

Major finding: Patients receiving JAKi vs. placebo showed a significant improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.79) and the pruritus numerical rating scale score (SMD −0.49; both P < .00001). Although patients in topical JAKi groups experienced no significant AE; however, those in oral JAKi groups were at an increased risk for ≥1 AE (odds ratio 1.23; P < .0001) with the most frequent AE being gastrointestinal disorders (P < .00001) and headache (P = .0003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 25 studies including 9931 patients with AD, of which 2383 and 7548 participants were involved in topical and oral JAKi studies, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. No conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Chen J et al. the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.03.039

Key clinical point: Both oral and topical Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) led to clinically meaningful improvement in the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), with topical JAKi demonstrating an excellent safety profile and oral JAKi demonstrating an adverse effect (AE) profile that warrants monitoring.

Major finding: Patients receiving JAKi vs. placebo showed a significant improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.79) and the pruritus numerical rating scale score (SMD −0.49; both P < .00001). Although patients in topical JAKi groups experienced no significant AE; however, those in oral JAKi groups were at an increased risk for ≥1 AE (odds ratio 1.23; P < .0001) with the most frequent AE being gastrointestinal disorders (P < .00001) and headache (P = .0003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 25 studies including 9931 patients with AD, of which 2383 and 7548 participants were involved in topical and oral JAKi studies, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. No conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Chen J et al. the efficacy and safety of Janus kinase inhibitors in patients with atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.03.039

Key clinical point: Dupilumab lowered SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels in unvaccinated patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and COVID-19 infection; however, it did not impair antibody response in mRNA vaccinated patients with AD.

Major finding: SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were significantly lower in unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 infection receiving dupilumab vs. systemic medications (P = .01) for AD, whereas they were similar in all vaccinated patients across the dupilumab, systemic medication, and topical therapy treatment groups (P > .18).

Study details: This study included patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were either infected with COVID-19 and were unvaccinated (n = 54) or had received a second mRNA vaccine dose ≥14 days before serum samples were collected (n = 180).

Disclosures: This work was supported by the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, Regeneron, Sanofi, and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. E Guttman-Yassky declared being an employee of Mount Sinai, receiving research funds, and serving as a consultant for several sources. AB Pavel declared having a research contract with Mount Sinai.

Source: Ungar B et al. The impact of dupilumab treatment on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-coronavirus disease 2019 antibody responses in patients with atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 (Mar 25). Doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.03.019

Key clinical point: Dupilumab lowered SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels in unvaccinated patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and COVID-19 infection; however, it did not impair antibody response in mRNA vaccinated patients with AD.

Major finding: SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were significantly lower in unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 infection receiving dupilumab vs. systemic medications (P = .01) for AD, whereas they were similar in all vaccinated patients across the dupilumab, systemic medication, and topical therapy treatment groups (P > .18).

Study details: This study included patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were either infected with COVID-19 and were unvaccinated (n = 54) or had received a second mRNA vaccine dose ≥14 days before serum samples were collected (n = 180).

Disclosures: This work was supported by the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, Regeneron, Sanofi, and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. E Guttman-Yassky declared being an employee of Mount Sinai, receiving research funds, and serving as a consultant for several sources. AB Pavel declared having a research contract with Mount Sinai.

Source: Ungar B et al. The impact of dupilumab treatment on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-coronavirus disease 2019 antibody responses in patients with atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 (Mar 25). Doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.03.019

Key clinical point: Dupilumab lowered SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels in unvaccinated patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and COVID-19 infection; however, it did not impair antibody response in mRNA vaccinated patients with AD.

Major finding: SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were significantly lower in unvaccinated patients with COVID-19 infection receiving dupilumab vs. systemic medications (P = .01) for AD, whereas they were similar in all vaccinated patients across the dupilumab, systemic medication, and topical therapy treatment groups (P > .18).

Study details: This study included patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were either infected with COVID-19 and were unvaccinated (n = 54) or had received a second mRNA vaccine dose ≥14 days before serum samples were collected (n = 180).

Disclosures: This work was supported by the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, Regeneron, Sanofi, and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. E Guttman-Yassky declared being an employee of Mount Sinai, receiving research funds, and serving as a consultant for several sources. AB Pavel declared having a research contract with Mount Sinai.

Source: Ungar B et al. The impact of dupilumab treatment on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-coronavirus disease 2019 antibody responses in patients with atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 (Mar 25). Doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.03.019

Key clinical point: In patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), once-daily 200 mg abrocitinib or 30 mg upadacitinib more effectively improved Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores than dupilumab, whereas improvement with baricitinib and tralokinumab were comparable to dupilumab.

Major finding: Compared with dupilumab, up to 16 weeks of treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib (mean difference [MD] 2.2; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.2-4.0) or 30 mg upadacitinib (MD 2.7; 95% CrI 0.6-4.7) led to greater reduction in EASI scores, whereas 600 mg tralokinumab followed by 300 mg every 2 weeks (MD −3.5; 95% CrI −5.8 to −1.3) and 2 mg baricitinib daily (MD −5.2; 95% CrI −7.5 to −2.9) and 4 mg baricitinib daily (MD −3.2; 95% CrI −5.7 to −0.8) were associated with a lesser reduction.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 60 trials including 16,579 children and adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Disclosures: This work was supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research Career Development Fellowship. The authors declared serving as consultants, co-principal/chief investigators, or employees or receiving compensation, research grants, fees, and funding from several sources.

Source: Drucker AM et al. Systemic immunomodulatory treatments for atopic dermatitis: Update of a living systematic review and network meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 16). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0455

Key clinical point: In patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), once-daily 200 mg abrocitinib or 30 mg upadacitinib more effectively improved Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores than dupilumab, whereas improvement with baricitinib and tralokinumab were comparable to dupilumab.

Major finding: Compared with dupilumab, up to 16 weeks of treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib (mean difference [MD] 2.2; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.2-4.0) or 30 mg upadacitinib (MD 2.7; 95% CrI 0.6-4.7) led to greater reduction in EASI scores, whereas 600 mg tralokinumab followed by 300 mg every 2 weeks (MD −3.5; 95% CrI −5.8 to −1.3) and 2 mg baricitinib daily (MD −5.2; 95% CrI −7.5 to −2.9) and 4 mg baricitinib daily (MD −3.2; 95% CrI −5.7 to −0.8) were associated with a lesser reduction.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 60 trials including 16,579 children and adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Disclosures: This work was supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research Career Development Fellowship. The authors declared serving as consultants, co-principal/chief investigators, or employees or receiving compensation, research grants, fees, and funding from several sources.

Source: Drucker AM et al. Systemic immunomodulatory treatments for atopic dermatitis: Update of a living systematic review and network meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 16). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0455

Key clinical point: In patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), once-daily 200 mg abrocitinib or 30 mg upadacitinib more effectively improved Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores than dupilumab, whereas improvement with baricitinib and tralokinumab were comparable to dupilumab.

Major finding: Compared with dupilumab, up to 16 weeks of treatment with 200 mg abrocitinib (mean difference [MD] 2.2; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.2-4.0) or 30 mg upadacitinib (MD 2.7; 95% CrI 0.6-4.7) led to greater reduction in EASI scores, whereas 600 mg tralokinumab followed by 300 mg every 2 weeks (MD −3.5; 95% CrI −5.8 to −1.3) and 2 mg baricitinib daily (MD −5.2; 95% CrI −7.5 to −2.9) and 4 mg baricitinib daily (MD −3.2; 95% CrI −5.7 to −0.8) were associated with a lesser reduction.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 60 trials including 16,579 children and adults with moderate-to-severe AD.

Disclosures: This work was supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research Career Development Fellowship. The authors declared serving as consultants, co-principal/chief investigators, or employees or receiving compensation, research grants, fees, and funding from several sources.

Source: Drucker AM et al. Systemic immunomodulatory treatments for atopic dermatitis: Update of a living systematic review and network meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Mar 16). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0455

Key clinical point: This follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) showed that FOI can be considered a useful screening tool for the early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Patients diagnosed with PsA after the baseline evaluation had a higher prevalence of joints with pathological enhancement in FOI during follow-up (P = .046), notably in phase 2 FOI (P = .037). Similar to MSUS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77), detecting newly affected joints by FOI (phase 2 in PrimaVista Mode; AUC 0.78) was positively linked with the shift of diagnosis from suspected to confirmed PsA.

Study details: In this follow-up study of 30 patients with psoriasis who had tender or swollen joints, the FOI of both the hands and the grayscale/power Doppler MSUS of the clinically dominant hand were compared.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the BMBF, German Ministry for Education and Research. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Buttner J et al. Follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging with musculoskeletal ultrasound for early detection of psoriatic arthritis. Front Med. 2022;9:845545 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845545

Key clinical point: This follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) showed that FOI can be considered a useful screening tool for the early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Patients diagnosed with PsA after the baseline evaluation had a higher prevalence of joints with pathological enhancement in FOI during follow-up (P = .046), notably in phase 2 FOI (P = .037). Similar to MSUS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77), detecting newly affected joints by FOI (phase 2 in PrimaVista Mode; AUC 0.78) was positively linked with the shift of diagnosis from suspected to confirmed PsA.

Study details: In this follow-up study of 30 patients with psoriasis who had tender or swollen joints, the FOI of both the hands and the grayscale/power Doppler MSUS of the clinically dominant hand were compared.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the BMBF, German Ministry for Education and Research. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Buttner J et al. Follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging with musculoskeletal ultrasound for early detection of psoriatic arthritis. Front Med. 2022;9:845545 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845545

Key clinical point: This follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) showed that FOI can be considered a useful screening tool for the early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Patients diagnosed with PsA after the baseline evaluation had a higher prevalence of joints with pathological enhancement in FOI during follow-up (P = .046), notably in phase 2 FOI (P = .037). Similar to MSUS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77), detecting newly affected joints by FOI (phase 2 in PrimaVista Mode; AUC 0.78) was positively linked with the shift of diagnosis from suspected to confirmed PsA.

Study details: In this follow-up study of 30 patients with psoriasis who had tender or swollen joints, the FOI of both the hands and the grayscale/power Doppler MSUS of the clinically dominant hand were compared.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the BMBF, German Ministry for Education and Research. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Buttner J et al. Follow-up comparison of fluorescence optical imaging with musculoskeletal ultrasound for early detection of psoriatic arthritis. Front Med. 2022;9:845545 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845545

Key clinical point: Serum levels of certain collagen degradation biomarkers were elevated in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) vs. healthy controls (HC) and could be effectively lowered with guselkumab.

Major finding: Baseline serum concentrations of collagen degradation biomarkers C1M, C3M, C4M, and C6M were ≥1.25-times higher in patients with PsA vs. HC (adjusted P < .05). At week 24, 100 mg guselkumab every 4 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C1M, C3M, and C4M levels, whereas guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C3M, C4M, and C6M levels (all adjusted P < .05), with improvements maintained up to week 52 (all adjusted P ≤ .0001).

Study details: Findings are from an exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DISCOVER 2 study that included 260 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to standard and 76 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Eight authors declared being employees of Janssen and owned stock in Johnson & Johnson, the parent company for Janssen. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Janssen.

Source: Schett G et al. collagen turnover biomarkers associate with active psoriatic arthritis and decrease with guselkumab treatment in a phase 3 clinical trial (DISCOVER-2). Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Mar 30). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00444-x

Key clinical point: Serum levels of certain collagen degradation biomarkers were elevated in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) vs. healthy controls (HC) and could be effectively lowered with guselkumab.

Major finding: Baseline serum concentrations of collagen degradation biomarkers C1M, C3M, C4M, and C6M were ≥1.25-times higher in patients with PsA vs. HC (adjusted P < .05). At week 24, 100 mg guselkumab every 4 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C1M, C3M, and C4M levels, whereas guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C3M, C4M, and C6M levels (all adjusted P < .05), with improvements maintained up to week 52 (all adjusted P ≤ .0001).

Study details: Findings are from an exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DISCOVER 2 study that included 260 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to standard and 76 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Eight authors declared being employees of Janssen and owned stock in Johnson & Johnson, the parent company for Janssen. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Janssen.

Source: Schett G et al. collagen turnover biomarkers associate with active psoriatic arthritis and decrease with guselkumab treatment in a phase 3 clinical trial (DISCOVER-2). Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Mar 30). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00444-x

Key clinical point: Serum levels of certain collagen degradation biomarkers were elevated in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) vs. healthy controls (HC) and could be effectively lowered with guselkumab.

Major finding: Baseline serum concentrations of collagen degradation biomarkers C1M, C3M, C4M, and C6M were ≥1.25-times higher in patients with PsA vs. HC (adjusted P < .05). At week 24, 100 mg guselkumab every 4 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C1M, C3M, and C4M levels, whereas guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks vs. placebo significantly reduced C3M, C4M, and C6M levels (all adjusted P < .05), with improvements maintained up to week 52 (all adjusted P ≤ .0001).

Study details: Findings are from an exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DISCOVER 2 study that included 260 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to standard and 76 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Eight authors declared being employees of Janssen and owned stock in Johnson & Johnson, the parent company for Janssen. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Janssen.

Source: Schett G et al. collagen turnover biomarkers associate with active psoriatic arthritis and decrease with guselkumab treatment in a phase 3 clinical trial (DISCOVER-2). Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Mar 30). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00444-x

Key clinical point: Ixekizumab demonstrated an overall consistent safety and tolerability profile with no unexpected/new adverse events (AE) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and up to 3 years of exposure to ixekizumab.

Major finding: Treatment-emergent (mostly mild/moderate) and serious AE occurred in 80.7% and 9.6% of patients, respectively. The most common infections were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, and sinusitis, with frequency for serious events being ≤2%. The exposure-adjusted incidence rate for treatment-emergent AE reduced from 87 in the first year to 67.3 in the third year of ixekizumab exposure and was <2 for malignancies, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events.

Study details: This integrated safety analysis of four phase 3 trials included 1401 patients with active PsA and a cumulative ixekizumab exposure of 2247.7 patient-years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Deodhar AA et al. Safety of ixekizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis: data from four clinical trials with over 2000 patient-years of exposure. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Apr 7). Doi:  10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-222027

Key clinical point: Ixekizumab demonstrated an overall consistent safety and tolerability profile with no unexpected/new adverse events (AE) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and up to 3 years of exposure to ixekizumab.

Major finding: Treatment-emergent (mostly mild/moderate) and serious AE occurred in 80.7% and 9.6% of patients, respectively. The most common infections were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, and sinusitis, with frequency for serious events being ≤2%. The exposure-adjusted incidence rate for treatment-emergent AE reduced from 87 in the first year to 67.3 in the third year of ixekizumab exposure and was <2 for malignancies, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events.

Study details: This integrated safety analysis of four phase 3 trials included 1401 patients with active PsA and a cumulative ixekizumab exposure of 2247.7 patient-years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Deodhar AA et al. Safety of ixekizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis: data from four clinical trials with over 2000 patient-years of exposure. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Apr 7). Doi:  10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-222027

Key clinical point: Ixekizumab demonstrated an overall consistent safety and tolerability profile with no unexpected/new adverse events (AE) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and up to 3 years of exposure to ixekizumab.

Major finding: Treatment-emergent (mostly mild/moderate) and serious AE occurred in 80.7% and 9.6% of patients, respectively. The most common infections were nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, and sinusitis, with frequency for serious events being ≤2%. The exposure-adjusted incidence rate for treatment-emergent AE reduced from 87 in the first year to 67.3 in the third year of ixekizumab exposure and was <2 for malignancies, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events.

Study details: This integrated safety analysis of four phase 3 trials included 1401 patients with active PsA and a cumulative ixekizumab exposure of 2247.7 patient-years.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Deodhar AA et al. Safety of ixekizumab in patients with psoriatic arthritis: data from four clinical trials with over 2000 patient-years of exposure. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Apr 7). Doi:  10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-222027

Key clinical point: Ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-ray could differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from psoriasis and hand osteoarthritis (OA) based on the degree of structural involvement in the distal interphalangeal (DIP)-joint and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC).

Major finding: US-detected new bone formation (NBF; risk ratio [RR] 0.52; P < .001) and DIP-joint synovial hypertrophy (RR 0.66; P = .005) along with PsA MRI scores (all P < .001) were associated with a lower risk for PsA vs. OA. Patients with PsA vs. psoriasis had a higher prevalence of X-ray entheseal change (mean difference 0.42; P = .024) and a higher trend toward US-detected NBF and erosions.

Study details: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 50 patients with DIP-joint PsA and nail involvement, 12 patients with psoriasis and nail involvement, and 13 patients with erosive and nonerosive OA.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Novartis, The Oak Foundation, and others. Some authors declared receiving speaker/consulting fees, research grants, or honoraria or serving as members of advisory board or consultants for several sources.

Source: Guldberg-Møller J et al. Multimodal imaging of the distal interphalangeal-joint synovio-entheseal complex in psoriatic arthritis (MIDAS): A cross-sectional study on the diagnostic accuracy of different imaging modalities comparing psoriatic arthritis to psoriasis and osteoarthritis. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002109 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002109

Key clinical point: Ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-ray could differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from psoriasis and hand osteoarthritis (OA) based on the degree of structural involvement in the distal interphalangeal (DIP)-joint and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC).

Major finding: US-detected new bone formation (NBF; risk ratio [RR] 0.52; P < .001) and DIP-joint synovial hypertrophy (RR 0.66; P = .005) along with PsA MRI scores (all P < .001) were associated with a lower risk for PsA vs. OA. Patients with PsA vs. psoriasis had a higher prevalence of X-ray entheseal change (mean difference 0.42; P = .024) and a higher trend toward US-detected NBF and erosions.

Study details: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 50 patients with DIP-joint PsA and nail involvement, 12 patients with psoriasis and nail involvement, and 13 patients with erosive and nonerosive OA.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Novartis, The Oak Foundation, and others. Some authors declared receiving speaker/consulting fees, research grants, or honoraria or serving as members of advisory board or consultants for several sources.

Source: Guldberg-Møller J et al. Multimodal imaging of the distal interphalangeal-joint synovio-entheseal complex in psoriatic arthritis (MIDAS): A cross-sectional study on the diagnostic accuracy of different imaging modalities comparing psoriatic arthritis to psoriasis and osteoarthritis. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002109 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002109

Key clinical point: Ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-ray could differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from psoriasis and hand osteoarthritis (OA) based on the degree of structural involvement in the distal interphalangeal (DIP)-joint and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC).

Major finding: US-detected new bone formation (NBF; risk ratio [RR] 0.52; P < .001) and DIP-joint synovial hypertrophy (RR 0.66; P = .005) along with PsA MRI scores (all P < .001) were associated with a lower risk for PsA vs. OA. Patients with PsA vs. psoriasis had a higher prevalence of X-ray entheseal change (mean difference 0.42; P = .024) and a higher trend toward US-detected NBF and erosions.

Study details: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 50 patients with DIP-joint PsA and nail involvement, 12 patients with psoriasis and nail involvement, and 13 patients with erosive and nonerosive OA.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Novartis, The Oak Foundation, and others. Some authors declared receiving speaker/consulting fees, research grants, or honoraria or serving as members of advisory board or consultants for several sources.

Source: Guldberg-Møller J et al. Multimodal imaging of the distal interphalangeal-joint synovio-entheseal complex in psoriatic arthritis (MIDAS): A cross-sectional study on the diagnostic accuracy of different imaging modalities comparing psoriatic arthritis to psoriasis and osteoarthritis. RMD Open. 2022;8:e002109 (Mar 28). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002109

Key clinical point: Sleep disturbance was more prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in those with psoriasis or healthy controls (HC) without inflammatory illnesses and was associated with various inflammatory and noninflammatory variables.

Major finding: Sleep disturbances were reported by 66.1% of patients with PsA vs. 45.0% of patients with psoriasis, and 15.0% of HC. Poor quality sleep was associated with tender points (P = .017), pain (P = .009), and global health scores (P = .005) and could not be resolved by immunosuppressive medical therapy.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 109 patients with PsA who initiated or switched treatment with conventional synthetic or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 20 patients with psoriasis, and 20 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Elisabeth and Karl Ejnar Nis-Hanssens Mindelegat, Minister Erna Hamiltons Legat for Videnskab og Kunst, and Oak Foundation. Some authors declared serving as consultants, investigators, or speakers, or receiving fees, honoraria, and research funding from several sources. JG Gerwien declared being an employee and stakeholder of Eli Lilly.

Source: Skougaard M et al. Increased prevalence of sleep disturbance in psoriatic arthritis is associated with inflammatory and non-inflammatory measures. Scand J Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.1080/03009742.2022.2044116

Key clinical point: Sleep disturbance was more prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in those with psoriasis or healthy controls (HC) without inflammatory illnesses and was associated with various inflammatory and noninflammatory variables.

Major finding: Sleep disturbances were reported by 66.1% of patients with PsA vs. 45.0% of patients with psoriasis, and 15.0% of HC. Poor quality sleep was associated with tender points (P = .017), pain (P = .009), and global health scores (P = .005) and could not be resolved by immunosuppressive medical therapy.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 109 patients with PsA who initiated or switched treatment with conventional synthetic or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 20 patients with psoriasis, and 20 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Elisabeth and Karl Ejnar Nis-Hanssens Mindelegat, Minister Erna Hamiltons Legat for Videnskab og Kunst, and Oak Foundation. Some authors declared serving as consultants, investigators, or speakers, or receiving fees, honoraria, and research funding from several sources. JG Gerwien declared being an employee and stakeholder of Eli Lilly.

Source: Skougaard M et al. Increased prevalence of sleep disturbance in psoriatic arthritis is associated with inflammatory and non-inflammatory measures. Scand J Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.1080/03009742.2022.2044116

Key clinical point: Sleep disturbance was more prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in those with psoriasis or healthy controls (HC) without inflammatory illnesses and was associated with various inflammatory and noninflammatory variables.

Major finding: Sleep disturbances were reported by 66.1% of patients with PsA vs. 45.0% of patients with psoriasis, and 15.0% of HC. Poor quality sleep was associated with tender points (P = .017), pain (P = .009), and global health scores (P = .005) and could not be resolved by immunosuppressive medical therapy.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included 109 patients with PsA who initiated or switched treatment with conventional synthetic or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, 20 patients with psoriasis, and 20 HC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Elisabeth and Karl Ejnar Nis-Hanssens Mindelegat, Minister Erna Hamiltons Legat for Videnskab og Kunst, and Oak Foundation. Some authors declared serving as consultants, investigators, or speakers, or receiving fees, honoraria, and research funding from several sources. JG Gerwien declared being an employee and stakeholder of Eli Lilly.

Source: Skougaard M et al. Increased prevalence of sleep disturbance in psoriatic arthritis is associated with inflammatory and non-inflammatory measures. Scand J Rheumatol. 2022 (Mar 18). Doi: 10.1080/03009742.2022.2044116

Key clinical point: Female vs. male patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and a prior inadequate response to treatment exhibited significantly higher disease activity at baseline and a worse response to ixekizumab.

Major finding: At baseline, female vs. male patients had significantly higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index scores (P ≤ .003), with a significantly higher proportion of male vs. female patients in the ixekizumab every 4 weeks (53.8% vs. 38.3%) and ixekizumab every 2 weeks (41.2% vs. 28.1%) treatment arms achieving ≥50% and ≥70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria, respectively (both P < .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials included 679 patients with active PsA who were either biologic-naive (SPIRIT-P1) or showed an inadequate response to 1 or 2 tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (SPIRIT-P2) and were randomly assigned to receive ixekizumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Eder L et al. Responses to ixekizumab in male and female patients with psoriatic arthritis: Results from two randomized, phase 3 clinical trials. Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Apr 9). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00445-w

Key clinical point: Female vs. male patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and a prior inadequate response to treatment exhibited significantly higher disease activity at baseline and a worse response to ixekizumab.

Major finding: At baseline, female vs. male patients had significantly higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index scores (P ≤ .003), with a significantly higher proportion of male vs. female patients in the ixekizumab every 4 weeks (53.8% vs. 38.3%) and ixekizumab every 2 weeks (41.2% vs. 28.1%) treatment arms achieving ≥50% and ≥70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria, respectively (both P < .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials included 679 patients with active PsA who were either biologic-naive (SPIRIT-P1) or showed an inadequate response to 1 or 2 tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (SPIRIT-P2) and were randomly assigned to receive ixekizumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Eder L et al. Responses to ixekizumab in male and female patients with psoriatic arthritis: Results from two randomized, phase 3 clinical trials. Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Apr 9). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00445-w

Key clinical point: Female vs. male patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and a prior inadequate response to treatment exhibited significantly higher disease activity at baseline and a worse response to ixekizumab.

Major finding: At baseline, female vs. male patients had significantly higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index scores (P ≤ .003), with a significantly higher proportion of male vs. female patients in the ixekizumab every 4 weeks (53.8% vs. 38.3%) and ixekizumab every 2 weeks (41.2% vs. 28.1%) treatment arms achieving ≥50% and ≥70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria, respectively (both P < .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials included 679 patients with active PsA who were either biologic-naive (SPIRIT-P1) or showed an inadequate response to 1 or 2 tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (SPIRIT-P2) and were randomly assigned to receive ixekizumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company. Five authors declared being employees and shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company and other authors reported ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Eder L et al. Responses to ixekizumab in male and female patients with psoriatic arthritis: Results from two randomized, phase 3 clinical trials. Rheumatol Ther. 2022 (Apr 9). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-022-00445-w

Key clinical point: Dermatological symptoms are substantially associated with the quality of life (QoL) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and improvements in dermatology measures could translate to clinically meaningful improvements in their QoL.

Major finding: Itch severity item (ISI) scores of 7-10, Physician’s Global Assessment of Psoriasis (PGA-PsO) scores of 4, and Patient’s Global Joint and Skin Assessment-Visual Analog Scale (PGJS-VAS) scores of 90-100 mm corresponded with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores categorized as having a very large effect on a patient’s life. An improvement of ≥3 points in ISI, ≥2 points in PGA-PsO, and ≥40 mm in PGJS-VAS translated to a clinically meaningful improvement in DLQI scores.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 studies, OPAL Broaden and OPAL Beyond, included 816 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to previous therapies who received tofacitinib, adalimumab, or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees or stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Taylor PC et al. Relationships of dermatologic symptoms and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis: analysis of two tofacitinib phase III studies. J Dermatol Treat. 2022 (Apr 11). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2060924

Key clinical point: Dermatological symptoms are substantially associated with the quality of life (QoL) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and improvements in dermatology measures could translate to clinically meaningful improvements in their QoL.

Major finding: Itch severity item (ISI) scores of 7-10, Physician’s Global Assessment of Psoriasis (PGA-PsO) scores of 4, and Patient’s Global Joint and Skin Assessment-Visual Analog Scale (PGJS-VAS) scores of 90-100 mm corresponded with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores categorized as having a very large effect on a patient’s life. An improvement of ≥3 points in ISI, ≥2 points in PGA-PsO, and ≥40 mm in PGJS-VAS translated to a clinically meaningful improvement in DLQI scores.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 studies, OPAL Broaden and OPAL Beyond, included 816 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to previous therapies who received tofacitinib, adalimumab, or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees or stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Taylor PC et al. Relationships of dermatologic symptoms and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis: analysis of two tofacitinib phase III studies. J Dermatol Treat. 2022 (Apr 11). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2060924

Key clinical point: Dermatological symptoms are substantially associated with the quality of life (QoL) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and improvements in dermatology measures could translate to clinically meaningful improvements in their QoL.

Major finding: Itch severity item (ISI) scores of 7-10, Physician’s Global Assessment of Psoriasis (PGA-PsO) scores of 4, and Patient’s Global Joint and Skin Assessment-Visual Analog Scale (PGJS-VAS) scores of 90-100 mm corresponded with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores categorized as having a very large effect on a patient’s life. An improvement of ≥3 points in ISI, ≥2 points in PGA-PsO, and ≥40 mm in PGJS-VAS translated to a clinically meaningful improvement in DLQI scores.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 studies, OPAL Broaden and OPAL Beyond, included 816 patients with active PsA and an inadequate response to previous therapies who received tofacitinib, adalimumab, or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Four authors reported being employees or stockholders of Pfizer. The other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Taylor PC et al. Relationships of dermatologic symptoms and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis: analysis of two tofacitinib phase III studies. J Dermatol Treat. 2022 (Apr 11). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2060924