Mease P - Increasing experience with the biologic agents in psoriatic arthritis is showing that anti-TNF drugs are effective across all domains of this complex disease. However the questions remain regarding the use of anti-TNF drugs for PsA, such as whether additional benefits result from adding methotrexate. Methods
A review to discuss the use of anti-TNF agents in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis
Results
For infliximab 62% of pts continuing on the drug at week 98 had achieved ACR20 response, while 45% and 35% had ACR50 and ACR70 responses, respectively
For etanercept, 2-yr data demonstrated sustained effectiveness in ACR scores over time and inhibition of progression of radiologic damage
Approximately 40% of pts achieved Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75 responses
RA registries are showing benefits in terms of cv outcomes, and this may also be the case in PsA
However it remains to be seen if other comorbidities associated with PsA will benefit from anti-TNF therapy, including infection, lymphoma, and depression
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