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Ixekizumab improved work productivity among patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in three manufacturer-sponsored phase III clinical trials, according to a report published online March 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
In previous studies, many adults with plaque psoriasis have reported that their skin condition forces them to miss work, reduces their productivity at work, requires them to take early retirement, and restricts them to part-time work when they would prefer to work full time. This is associated with substantial economic consequences for the patient and his or her family, for employers, and for society at large.
“A recent systematic review estimated the annual indirect economic burden of psoriasis in the United States to be $23.9 billion to $35.4 billion from productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism,” said Dr. April W. Armstrong of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her associates.
They assessed whether ixekizumab improved work productivity by analyzing data regarding that secondary endpoint in the three randomized double-blind UNCOVER trials, which compared the agent against either a matching placebo or etanercept in 3,866 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis involving at least 10% of their body surface area, sPGA (static Physician Global Assessment) scores of 3 or higher, and PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) scores of 12 or higher. The study participants were treated for 12 weeks with either the active drug or a comparator; in two of the studies, those who responded to ixekizumab could then continue on maintenance therapy for up to a further 60 weeks.
Work productivity was measured using the WPAI-PSO (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Psoriasis) questionnaire, which assesses psoriasis-associated absenteeism (time missed from work), presenteeism (impairment and reduced effectiveness at work), and overall loss of work productivity.
Across all three trials, 12 weeks of ixekizumab was significantly better than placebo or etanercept was at increasing work productivity and reducing impairment at work. These benefits were sustained in patients who continued long-term treatment, while patients who discontinued treatment lost these benefits and also showed significant worsening in absenteeism, Dr. Armstrong and her associates said (JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Mar 7. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.0269).
The improvements in work productivity paralleled improvements in patients’ PASI scores while taking ixekizumab.
Ixekizumab improved work productivity among patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in three manufacturer-sponsored phase III clinical trials, according to a report published online March 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
In previous studies, many adults with plaque psoriasis have reported that their skin condition forces them to miss work, reduces their productivity at work, requires them to take early retirement, and restricts them to part-time work when they would prefer to work full time. This is associated with substantial economic consequences for the patient and his or her family, for employers, and for society at large.
“A recent systematic review estimated the annual indirect economic burden of psoriasis in the United States to be $23.9 billion to $35.4 billion from productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism,” said Dr. April W. Armstrong of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her associates.
They assessed whether ixekizumab improved work productivity by analyzing data regarding that secondary endpoint in the three randomized double-blind UNCOVER trials, which compared the agent against either a matching placebo or etanercept in 3,866 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis involving at least 10% of their body surface area, sPGA (static Physician Global Assessment) scores of 3 or higher, and PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) scores of 12 or higher. The study participants were treated for 12 weeks with either the active drug or a comparator; in two of the studies, those who responded to ixekizumab could then continue on maintenance therapy for up to a further 60 weeks.
Work productivity was measured using the WPAI-PSO (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Psoriasis) questionnaire, which assesses psoriasis-associated absenteeism (time missed from work), presenteeism (impairment and reduced effectiveness at work), and overall loss of work productivity.
Across all three trials, 12 weeks of ixekizumab was significantly better than placebo or etanercept was at increasing work productivity and reducing impairment at work. These benefits were sustained in patients who continued long-term treatment, while patients who discontinued treatment lost these benefits and also showed significant worsening in absenteeism, Dr. Armstrong and her associates said (JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Mar 7. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.0269).
The improvements in work productivity paralleled improvements in patients’ PASI scores while taking ixekizumab.
Ixekizumab improved work productivity among patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in three manufacturer-sponsored phase III clinical trials, according to a report published online March 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
In previous studies, many adults with plaque psoriasis have reported that their skin condition forces them to miss work, reduces their productivity at work, requires them to take early retirement, and restricts them to part-time work when they would prefer to work full time. This is associated with substantial economic consequences for the patient and his or her family, for employers, and for society at large.
“A recent systematic review estimated the annual indirect economic burden of psoriasis in the United States to be $23.9 billion to $35.4 billion from productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism,” said Dr. April W. Armstrong of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her associates.
They assessed whether ixekizumab improved work productivity by analyzing data regarding that secondary endpoint in the three randomized double-blind UNCOVER trials, which compared the agent against either a matching placebo or etanercept in 3,866 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis involving at least 10% of their body surface area, sPGA (static Physician Global Assessment) scores of 3 or higher, and PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) scores of 12 or higher. The study participants were treated for 12 weeks with either the active drug or a comparator; in two of the studies, those who responded to ixekizumab could then continue on maintenance therapy for up to a further 60 weeks.
Work productivity was measured using the WPAI-PSO (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Psoriasis) questionnaire, which assesses psoriasis-associated absenteeism (time missed from work), presenteeism (impairment and reduced effectiveness at work), and overall loss of work productivity.
Across all three trials, 12 weeks of ixekizumab was significantly better than placebo or etanercept was at increasing work productivity and reducing impairment at work. These benefits were sustained in patients who continued long-term treatment, while patients who discontinued treatment lost these benefits and also showed significant worsening in absenteeism, Dr. Armstrong and her associates said (JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Mar 7. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.0269).
The improvements in work productivity paralleled improvements in patients’ PASI scores while taking ixekizumab.
FROM JAMA DERMATOLOGY
Key clinical point: Ixekizumab improved work productivity among patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in three manufacturer-sponsored phase III clinical trials.
Major finding: Across all three trials, 12 weeks of ixekizumab was significantly better than placebo or etanercept was at increasing work productivity and reducing impairment at work.
Data source: An analysis of the secondary endpoint of work productivity in three international randomized, controlled phase III trials involving 3,866 patients.
Disclosures: The three UNCOVER trials were supported by Eli Lilly, maker of ixekizumab. Dr. Armstrong reported being a consultant for, receiving honoraria from, and receiving grant support from Eli Lilly and additional pharmaceutical companies. Her associates reported ties to numerous industry sources.
