Faculty Collaboration Database

Infliximab treatment results in significant improvement in the quality of life of patients with severe psoriasis: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol 2005 May;152(5):954-60

Date

05/13/2005

Pubmed ID

15888152

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06510.x

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-21044440425 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   121 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic disease that significantly diminishes the health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Infliximab is a chimeric, tumour necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody that has been shown to improve the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of infliximab induction therapy on the HRQOL of patients with severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 249 patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous infusions of 3 or 5 mg kg(-1) of infliximab or placebo and were treated at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Patients completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline and week 10.

RESULTS: Infliximab induction therapy resulted in a substantial improvement in HRQOL. At week 10, patients in the infliximab 3- and 5-mg kg(-1) groups showed a median percentage improvement in DLQI scores of 84.0% and 91.0%, respectively, compared with 0% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). The median decrease from baseline in DLQI score at week 10 was 8.0 and 10.0 for the 3 and 5 mg kg(-1) infliximab groups, respectively, compared with 0 in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Thirty-three per cent and 40% of patients in the 3 and 5 mg kg(-1) infliximab groups, respectively, had a DLQI score of 0 at week 10, compared with 2% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between the percentage change from baseline at week 10 in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores and the percentage change in DLQI scores during the same period (Spearman's correlation, 0.61, P < 0.001). When the infliximab and placebo treatment groups were combined, patients with at least 75% improvement in PASI scores between baseline and week 10 had a greater mean improvement in DLQI scores (81%) than those with 50-75% improvement in PASI during the same period (60%).

CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab induction therapy resulted in significant improvement in HRQOL in patients with severe psoriasis.

Author List

Feldman SR, Gordon KB, Bala M, Evans R, Li S, Dooley LT, Guzzo C, Patel K, Menter A, Gottlieb AB

Author

Kenneth Brian Gordon MD Chair, Professor in the Dermatology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Dermatologic Agents
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Double-Blind Method
Female
Health Status Indicators
Humans
Infliximab
Male
Middle Aged
Psoriasis
Psychometrics
Quality of Life
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Outcome