Psoriatic Arthritis ICYMI

Key clinical point: A referral tool based on five independent risk factors for concomitant psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis may help dermatologists to identify patients with psoriasis who could benefit from a rheumatologist referral.

Major finding: The predictive variables for concomitant PsA among patients with psoriasis that were included in the referral tool were treatment history with conventional systemics (P  =  .04) and biologics/small molecule inhibitors (P  =  .01), patient-reported history of joint pain without trauma (P  =  .02), swollen joints (P < .001), and sausage-like swollen digits (P  =  .01). The referral tool had an area under curve of 0.82.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 303 patients with psoriasis from the prospective observational DAPPER study who had visited the dermatology outpatient clinic.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a PhD grant from Radboud University Medical Center/Sint Maartenskliniek, Netherlands, and local structural research funding of the Sint Maartenskliniek. Several authors reported financial and non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: van Hal TW et al. Development of a new referral tool to identify psoriasis patients with concomitant psoriatic arthritis: Results of the prospective DAPPER cohort. Acta Derm Venereol. 2023 (Apr 27). Doi: 10.2340/actadv.v103.5269

Key clinical point: A referral tool based on five independent risk factors for concomitant psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis may help dermatologists to identify patients with psoriasis who could benefit from a rheumatologist referral.

Major finding: The predictive variables for concomitant PsA among patients with psoriasis that were included in the referral tool were treatment history with conventional systemics (P  =  .04) and biologics/small molecule inhibitors (P  =  .01), patient-reported history of joint pain without trauma (P  =  .02), swollen joints (P < .001), and sausage-like swollen digits (P  =  .01). The referral tool had an area under curve of 0.82.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 303 patients with psoriasis from the prospective observational DAPPER study who had visited the dermatology outpatient clinic.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a PhD grant from Radboud University Medical Center/Sint Maartenskliniek, Netherlands, and local structural research funding of the Sint Maartenskliniek. Several authors reported financial and non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: van Hal TW et al. Development of a new referral tool to identify psoriasis patients with concomitant psoriatic arthritis: Results of the prospective DAPPER cohort. Acta Derm Venereol. 2023 (Apr 27). Doi: 10.2340/actadv.v103.5269

Key clinical point: A referral tool based on five independent risk factors for concomitant psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis may help dermatologists to identify patients with psoriasis who could benefit from a rheumatologist referral.

Major finding: The predictive variables for concomitant PsA among patients with psoriasis that were included in the referral tool were treatment history with conventional systemics (P  =  .04) and biologics/small molecule inhibitors (P  =  .01), patient-reported history of joint pain without trauma (P  =  .02), swollen joints (P < .001), and sausage-like swollen digits (P  =  .01). The referral tool had an area under curve of 0.82.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 303 patients with psoriasis from the prospective observational DAPPER study who had visited the dermatology outpatient clinic.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a PhD grant from Radboud University Medical Center/Sint Maartenskliniek, Netherlands, and local structural research funding of the Sint Maartenskliniek. Several authors reported financial and non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: van Hal TW et al. Development of a new referral tool to identify psoriasis patients with concomitant psoriatic arthritis: Results of the prospective DAPPER cohort. Acta Derm Venereol. 2023 (Apr 27). Doi: 10.2340/actadv.v103.5269

Key clinical point: The occurrence of radiographic spinal damage was overall low among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis; however, severe spinal damage and the extent of syndesmophytes led spinal damage were more observed in spondyloarthritis vs PsA.

Major finding: Proportion of patients with PsA vs spondyloarthritis experiencing spinal damage was comparable (10.6% vs 7.9%; P  =  .320). However, patients with spondyloarthritis and spinal damage vs PsA had higher modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Scores, indicating severe spinal damage (P < .05). Syndesmophytes were significantly higher in the total spine of patients with spondyloarthritis vs PsA (P < .05).

Study details: This study evaluated patients with PsA (n = 312) and spondyloarthritis (n = 213) who had undergone radiographic imaging assessment in the Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study (BEPAS) and observational Ghent and Belgian Inflammatory Arthritis and Spondylitis (Be-GIANT) study, respectively.

Disclosures: The BEPAS and Be-GIANT studies were funded by Merck Sharp Dohme Belgium and AbbVie, respectively. Several authors reported ties with various companies, including AbbVie or Merck Sharp Dohme.

Source: de Hooge M et al. Extent of axial damage in psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis: Comparative data from the BEPAS and (Be-)GIANT multicentre cohorts. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002994 (May 3). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-002994

Key clinical point: The occurrence of radiographic spinal damage was overall low among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis; however, severe spinal damage and the extent of syndesmophytes led spinal damage were more observed in spondyloarthritis vs PsA.

Major finding: Proportion of patients with PsA vs spondyloarthritis experiencing spinal damage was comparable (10.6% vs 7.9%; P  =  .320). However, patients with spondyloarthritis and spinal damage vs PsA had higher modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Scores, indicating severe spinal damage (P < .05). Syndesmophytes were significantly higher in the total spine of patients with spondyloarthritis vs PsA (P < .05).

Study details: This study evaluated patients with PsA (n = 312) and spondyloarthritis (n = 213) who had undergone radiographic imaging assessment in the Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study (BEPAS) and observational Ghent and Belgian Inflammatory Arthritis and Spondylitis (Be-GIANT) study, respectively.

Disclosures: The BEPAS and Be-GIANT studies were funded by Merck Sharp Dohme Belgium and AbbVie, respectively. Several authors reported ties with various companies, including AbbVie or Merck Sharp Dohme.

Source: de Hooge M et al. Extent of axial damage in psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis: Comparative data from the BEPAS and (Be-)GIANT multicentre cohorts. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002994 (May 3). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-002994

Key clinical point: The occurrence of radiographic spinal damage was overall low among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis; however, severe spinal damage and the extent of syndesmophytes led spinal damage were more observed in spondyloarthritis vs PsA.

Major finding: Proportion of patients with PsA vs spondyloarthritis experiencing spinal damage was comparable (10.6% vs 7.9%; P  =  .320). However, patients with spondyloarthritis and spinal damage vs PsA had higher modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Scores, indicating severe spinal damage (P < .05). Syndesmophytes were significantly higher in the total spine of patients with spondyloarthritis vs PsA (P < .05).

Study details: This study evaluated patients with PsA (n = 312) and spondyloarthritis (n = 213) who had undergone radiographic imaging assessment in the Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study (BEPAS) and observational Ghent and Belgian Inflammatory Arthritis and Spondylitis (Be-GIANT) study, respectively.

Disclosures: The BEPAS and Be-GIANT studies were funded by Merck Sharp Dohme Belgium and AbbVie, respectively. Several authors reported ties with various companies, including AbbVie or Merck Sharp Dohme.

Source: de Hooge M et al. Extent of axial damage in psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis: Comparative data from the BEPAS and (Be-)GIANT multicentre cohorts. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002994 (May 3). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-002994

Key clinical point: Secukinumab reduced disease activity at week 12, which sustained or improved by week 52, and demonstrated a consistent safety profile in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At week 12, 50% improvement in Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA50) was achieved by a higher proportion of patients treated with 300 mg or 150 mg secukinumab vs placebo-treated patients (65.2% and 44.4% vs 30.0%, respectively). DAPSA50 responses further improved with 300 mg and 150 mg secukinumab at week 52 (74.2% and 71.8%; respectively). The safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with that reported in the original trials.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the phase 3/3b FUTURE 2-5 and MAXIMISE trials included 84 patients with oligoarticular PsA who were randomly assigned to receive 150 or 300 mg secukinumab or placebo until week 12 and 150 or 300 mg `secukinumab from week 12 to 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Some authors declared being employees and holding stocks or shares or having other ties with Novartis or others.

Source: Ogdie A et al. Inhibition of interleukin-17 in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 6). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00548-y

Key clinical point: Secukinumab reduced disease activity at week 12, which sustained or improved by week 52, and demonstrated a consistent safety profile in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At week 12, 50% improvement in Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA50) was achieved by a higher proportion of patients treated with 300 mg or 150 mg secukinumab vs placebo-treated patients (65.2% and 44.4% vs 30.0%, respectively). DAPSA50 responses further improved with 300 mg and 150 mg secukinumab at week 52 (74.2% and 71.8%; respectively). The safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with that reported in the original trials.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the phase 3/3b FUTURE 2-5 and MAXIMISE trials included 84 patients with oligoarticular PsA who were randomly assigned to receive 150 or 300 mg secukinumab or placebo until week 12 and 150 or 300 mg `secukinumab from week 12 to 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Some authors declared being employees and holding stocks or shares or having other ties with Novartis or others.

Source: Ogdie A et al. Inhibition of interleukin-17 in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 6). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00548-y

Key clinical point: Secukinumab reduced disease activity at week 12, which sustained or improved by week 52, and demonstrated a consistent safety profile in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At week 12, 50% improvement in Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA50) was achieved by a higher proportion of patients treated with 300 mg or 150 mg secukinumab vs placebo-treated patients (65.2% and 44.4% vs 30.0%, respectively). DAPSA50 responses further improved with 300 mg and 150 mg secukinumab at week 52 (74.2% and 71.8%; respectively). The safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with that reported in the original trials.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the phase 3/3b FUTURE 2-5 and MAXIMISE trials included 84 patients with oligoarticular PsA who were randomly assigned to receive 150 or 300 mg secukinumab or placebo until week 12 and 150 or 300 mg `secukinumab from week 12 to 52.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Some authors declared being employees and holding stocks or shares or having other ties with Novartis or others.

Source: Ogdie A et al. Inhibition of interleukin-17 in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 6). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00548-y

Key clinical point: Patients with higher platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were more likely to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), with patients having higher pretreatment systemic inflammatory marker scores showing lower treatment persistence with conventional therapies.

Major finding: PLR (odds ratio [OR] 7.027; P  =  .040) or CRP levels (OR 3.179; P  =  .022) at the time of initial presentation were associated with a higher probability of PsA vs PsV diagnosis, with patients having higher pretreatment platelet or neutrophil counts, PLR, and systemic immune/inflammation index scores exhibiting lower treatment continuation rates for conventional systemic agents (all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including patients with PsA (n = 47) and PsV (n = 117) and control individuals with no history of allergy or skin diseases (n = 50).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sugimoto E, Matsuda H, et al. Impact of pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers on treatment persistence with biologics and conventional systemic therapy: A retrospective study of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(8):3046 (Apr 21). Doi: 10.3390/jcm12083046

Key clinical point: Patients with higher platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were more likely to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), with patients having higher pretreatment systemic inflammatory marker scores showing lower treatment persistence with conventional therapies.

Major finding: PLR (odds ratio [OR] 7.027; P  =  .040) or CRP levels (OR 3.179; P  =  .022) at the time of initial presentation were associated with a higher probability of PsA vs PsV diagnosis, with patients having higher pretreatment platelet or neutrophil counts, PLR, and systemic immune/inflammation index scores exhibiting lower treatment continuation rates for conventional systemic agents (all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including patients with PsA (n = 47) and PsV (n = 117) and control individuals with no history of allergy or skin diseases (n = 50).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sugimoto E, Matsuda H, et al. Impact of pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers on treatment persistence with biologics and conventional systemic therapy: A retrospective study of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(8):3046 (Apr 21). Doi: 10.3390/jcm12083046

Key clinical point: Patients with higher platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were more likely to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), with patients having higher pretreatment systemic inflammatory marker scores showing lower treatment persistence with conventional therapies.

Major finding: PLR (odds ratio [OR] 7.027; P  =  .040) or CRP levels (OR 3.179; P  =  .022) at the time of initial presentation were associated with a higher probability of PsA vs PsV diagnosis, with patients having higher pretreatment platelet or neutrophil counts, PLR, and systemic immune/inflammation index scores exhibiting lower treatment continuation rates for conventional systemic agents (all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including patients with PsA (n = 47) and PsV (n = 117) and control individuals with no history of allergy or skin diseases (n = 50).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sugimoto E, Matsuda H, et al. Impact of pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers on treatment persistence with biologics and conventional systemic therapy: A retrospective study of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(8):3046 (Apr 21). Doi: 10.3390/jcm12083046

Key clinical point: Concomitant methotrexate had no effect on ustekimumab immunogenicity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with the formation of antidrug antibody (ADA) not being associated with reductions in ustekinumab safety or efficacy.

Major finding: The prevalence of ADA at week 52 was not significantly different between the ustekinumab+methotrexate and ustekinumab+placebo groups, with disease activity, treatment response, dropout rates, effect of pretreatment with methotrexate, and safety outcomes not being significantly different in patients with vs without ADA (all P > .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the MUST trial included 112 patients with active PsA who were naive to ustekimumab and were randomly assigned to receive ustekinumab with concomitant methotrexate or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking, which received support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others. F Behrens, M Koehm, and H Burkhardt declared receiving research grants from Janssen Cilag. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Poor SM et al. The role of antidrug antibodies in ustekinumab therapy and the impact of methotrexate. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 20). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead177

Key clinical point: Concomitant methotrexate had no effect on ustekimumab immunogenicity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with the formation of antidrug antibody (ADA) not being associated with reductions in ustekinumab safety or efficacy.

Major finding: The prevalence of ADA at week 52 was not significantly different between the ustekinumab+methotrexate and ustekinumab+placebo groups, with disease activity, treatment response, dropout rates, effect of pretreatment with methotrexate, and safety outcomes not being significantly different in patients with vs without ADA (all P > .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the MUST trial included 112 patients with active PsA who were naive to ustekimumab and were randomly assigned to receive ustekinumab with concomitant methotrexate or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking, which received support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others. F Behrens, M Koehm, and H Burkhardt declared receiving research grants from Janssen Cilag. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Poor SM et al. The role of antidrug antibodies in ustekinumab therapy and the impact of methotrexate. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 20). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead177

Key clinical point: Concomitant methotrexate had no effect on ustekimumab immunogenicity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with the formation of antidrug antibody (ADA) not being associated with reductions in ustekinumab safety or efficacy.

Major finding: The prevalence of ADA at week 52 was not significantly different between the ustekinumab+methotrexate and ustekinumab+placebo groups, with disease activity, treatment response, dropout rates, effect of pretreatment with methotrexate, and safety outcomes not being significantly different in patients with vs without ADA (all P > .05).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the MUST trial included 112 patients with active PsA who were naive to ustekimumab and were randomly assigned to receive ustekinumab with concomitant methotrexate or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking, which received support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others. F Behrens, M Koehm, and H Burkhardt declared receiving research grants from Janssen Cilag. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Poor SM et al. The role of antidrug antibodies in ustekinumab therapy and the impact of methotrexate. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 20). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead177

Key clinical point: The entheseal fibrocartilage (EF) thickness assessed during power Doppler ultrasound evaluation was significantly different among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and control individuals and can be explored as an imaging biomarker for PsA.

Major finding: The median EF thickness was significantly greater in patients with PsA and athletes vs control individuals (0.035 and 0.036 vs 0.030 cm, respectively; P  =  .05 and P  =  .008, respectively), with the intra- and inter-reader reliability of the evaluation of EF thickness being excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.91) and good (ICC 0.80; both P < .001), respectively.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included patients with PsA (n = 30), athletes (n = 40), and control individuals (n = 20) who underwent power Doppler ultrasound evaluation during bilateral Achilles tendon insertions.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Perrotta FM et al. Ultrasonographic evaluation of entheseal fibrocartilage in patients with psoriatic arthritis, athletes and healthy controls: A comparison study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(8):1446 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13081446

Key clinical point: The entheseal fibrocartilage (EF) thickness assessed during power Doppler ultrasound evaluation was significantly different among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and control individuals and can be explored as an imaging biomarker for PsA.

Major finding: The median EF thickness was significantly greater in patients with PsA and athletes vs control individuals (0.035 and 0.036 vs 0.030 cm, respectively; P  =  .05 and P  =  .008, respectively), with the intra- and inter-reader reliability of the evaluation of EF thickness being excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.91) and good (ICC 0.80; both P < .001), respectively.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included patients with PsA (n = 30), athletes (n = 40), and control individuals (n = 20) who underwent power Doppler ultrasound evaluation during bilateral Achilles tendon insertions.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Perrotta FM et al. Ultrasonographic evaluation of entheseal fibrocartilage in patients with psoriatic arthritis, athletes and healthy controls: A comparison study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(8):1446 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13081446

Key clinical point: The entheseal fibrocartilage (EF) thickness assessed during power Doppler ultrasound evaluation was significantly different among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and control individuals and can be explored as an imaging biomarker for PsA.

Major finding: The median EF thickness was significantly greater in patients with PsA and athletes vs control individuals (0.035 and 0.036 vs 0.030 cm, respectively; P  =  .05 and P  =  .008, respectively), with the intra- and inter-reader reliability of the evaluation of EF thickness being excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.91) and good (ICC 0.80; both P < .001), respectively.

Study details: This cross-sectional study included patients with PsA (n = 30), athletes (n = 40), and control individuals (n = 20) who underwent power Doppler ultrasound evaluation during bilateral Achilles tendon insertions.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Perrotta FM et al. Ultrasonographic evaluation of entheseal fibrocartilage in patients with psoriatic arthritis, athletes and healthy controls: A comparison study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(8):1446 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13081446

Key clinical point: Compared with placebo, 15 mg upadacitinib led to a greater improvement in axial symptoms with a consistent safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: The improvement in overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score at week 24 was significantly higher with 15 mg upadacitinib vs placebo in both SELECT-PsA 1 (−3.12 vs −1.70; P < .0001) and SELECT PsA 2 (−2.06 vs −0.21; P < .0001) trials. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally similar among the sub-groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with active PsA (n = 1,281 and n = 423, respectively) from the SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2 trials who were randomly assigned to receive either 15 mg upadacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab and were categorized as those with or without axial involvement.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie. Five authors declared being employees or stockholders of AbbVie, and some authors reported ties with various sources, including AbbVie.

Source: Baraliakos X et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and axial involvement: Results from two phase 3 studies. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:56 (Apr 10). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03027-5

Key clinical point: Compared with placebo, 15 mg upadacitinib led to a greater improvement in axial symptoms with a consistent safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: The improvement in overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score at week 24 was significantly higher with 15 mg upadacitinib vs placebo in both SELECT-PsA 1 (−3.12 vs −1.70; P < .0001) and SELECT PsA 2 (−2.06 vs −0.21; P < .0001) trials. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally similar among the sub-groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with active PsA (n = 1,281 and n = 423, respectively) from the SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2 trials who were randomly assigned to receive either 15 mg upadacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab and were categorized as those with or without axial involvement.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie. Five authors declared being employees or stockholders of AbbVie, and some authors reported ties with various sources, including AbbVie.

Source: Baraliakos X et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and axial involvement: Results from two phase 3 studies. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:56 (Apr 10). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03027-5

Key clinical point: Compared with placebo, 15 mg upadacitinib led to a greater improvement in axial symptoms with a consistent safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: The improvement in overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score at week 24 was significantly higher with 15 mg upadacitinib vs placebo in both SELECT-PsA 1 (−3.12 vs −1.70; P < .0001) and SELECT PsA 2 (−2.06 vs −0.21; P < .0001) trials. Treatment-emergent adverse events were generally similar among the sub-groups.

Study details: This post hoc analysis included patients with active PsA (n = 1,281 and n = 423, respectively) from the SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2 trials who were randomly assigned to receive either 15 mg upadacitinib, placebo, or adalimumab and were categorized as those with or without axial involvement.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie. Five authors declared being employees or stockholders of AbbVie, and some authors reported ties with various sources, including AbbVie.

Source: Baraliakos X et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and axial involvement: Results from two phase 3 studies. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:56 (Apr 10). Doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03027-5

Key clinical point: Sonographic enthesitis showed strong association with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), suggesting the clinical significance of sonographic enthesitis as a potential marker for inflammation in other musculoskeletal domains.

Major finding: Sonographic enthesitis was significantly associated with sonographic synovitis (β 0.19; P  =  .004) and sonographic tenosynovitis (β 0.1; P  =  .003) and showed strong correlation with patient-reported outcomes, such as Health Assessment Questionnaire (P  =  .003), morning stiffness (P  =  .002), and others.

Study details: This study prospectively recruited 158 patients with PsA who underwent sonographic assessment of 52 joints, 40 tendons, and 14 entheses points along with clinical evaluation.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Balulu G et al. The association between sonographic enthesitis with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in psoriatic arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead202

Key clinical point: Sonographic enthesitis showed strong association with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), suggesting the clinical significance of sonographic enthesitis as a potential marker for inflammation in other musculoskeletal domains.

Major finding: Sonographic enthesitis was significantly associated with sonographic synovitis (β 0.19; P  =  .004) and sonographic tenosynovitis (β 0.1; P  =  .003) and showed strong correlation with patient-reported outcomes, such as Health Assessment Questionnaire (P  =  .003), morning stiffness (P  =  .002), and others.

Study details: This study prospectively recruited 158 patients with PsA who underwent sonographic assessment of 52 joints, 40 tendons, and 14 entheses points along with clinical evaluation.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Balulu G et al. The association between sonographic enthesitis with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in psoriatic arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead202

Key clinical point: Sonographic enthesitis showed strong association with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), suggesting the clinical significance of sonographic enthesitis as a potential marker for inflammation in other musculoskeletal domains.

Major finding: Sonographic enthesitis was significantly associated with sonographic synovitis (β 0.19; P  =  .004) and sonographic tenosynovitis (β 0.1; P  =  .003) and showed strong correlation with patient-reported outcomes, such as Health Assessment Questionnaire (P  =  .003), morning stiffness (P  =  .002), and others.

Study details: This study prospectively recruited 158 patients with PsA who underwent sonographic assessment of 52 joints, 40 tendons, and 14 entheses points along with clinical evaluation.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Balulu G et al. The association between sonographic enthesitis with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in psoriatic arthritis patients. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 11). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead202

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) achieved enthesitis resolution over 52 weeks with secukinumab treatment, which was comparable to that with adalimumab treatment.

Major finding: At week 52, secukinumab vs adalimumab led to a similar proportion of patients achieving enthesitis resolution (53.2% vs 51.4%) along with site-specific resolution of lateral epicondyle enthesitis (84.6% vs 87.1%) and showing relapse after first resolution (21.0% vs 15.6%), as assessed by the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index (SPARCC). Moreover, secukinumab vs adalimumab had a comparable response time to SPARCC enthesitis resolution (113 vs 88 days).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study included 853 patients with PsA who received either secukinumab (300 mg) or adalimumab (40 mg) over 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, USA. C Gaillez and B Parikh declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharma or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Kaeley GS et al. Enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with secukinumab or adalimumab: A post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead181

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) achieved enthesitis resolution over 52 weeks with secukinumab treatment, which was comparable to that with adalimumab treatment.

Major finding: At week 52, secukinumab vs adalimumab led to a similar proportion of patients achieving enthesitis resolution (53.2% vs 51.4%) along with site-specific resolution of lateral epicondyle enthesitis (84.6% vs 87.1%) and showing relapse after first resolution (21.0% vs 15.6%), as assessed by the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index (SPARCC). Moreover, secukinumab vs adalimumab had a comparable response time to SPARCC enthesitis resolution (113 vs 88 days).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study included 853 patients with PsA who received either secukinumab (300 mg) or adalimumab (40 mg) over 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, USA. C Gaillez and B Parikh declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharma or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Kaeley GS et al. Enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with secukinumab or adalimumab: A post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead181

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) achieved enthesitis resolution over 52 weeks with secukinumab treatment, which was comparable to that with adalimumab treatment.

Major finding: At week 52, secukinumab vs adalimumab led to a similar proportion of patients achieving enthesitis resolution (53.2% vs 51.4%) along with site-specific resolution of lateral epicondyle enthesitis (84.6% vs 87.1%) and showing relapse after first resolution (21.0% vs 15.6%), as assessed by the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index (SPARCC). Moreover, secukinumab vs adalimumab had a comparable response time to SPARCC enthesitis resolution (113 vs 88 days).

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study included 853 patients with PsA who received either secukinumab (300 mg) or adalimumab (40 mg) over 52 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, USA. C Gaillez and B Parikh declared being current or former employees of Novartis Pharma or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Kaeley GS et al. Enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with secukinumab or adalimumab: A post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead181

Key clinical point: The achievement of stringent treatment goals with secukinumab led to clinically meaningful benefits in physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with secukinumab showing a protective effect on radiographic progression.

Major finding: Overall, over 2 years, a relatively small percentage of patients receiving secukinumab achieved sustained remission (REM) according to very low disease activity (LDA; 19%-24%) or Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA) REM (30%-36%), with those achieving DAPSA LDA+REM or DAPSA REM showing numerically greater improvement in physical function. A higher proportion of secukinumab-treated patients were non-structural progressors at 2 years irrespective of achieving sustained LDA/REM.

Study details: This was a retrospective analysis from the FUTURE 5 study including 996 patients with active PsA who were randomly assigned to receive secukinumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharma AG. Two authors declared being employees of or owning stocks/shares in Novartis, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Coates LC et al. Secukinumab improves physical function and quality of life and inhibits structural damage in patients with PsA with sustained remission or low disease activity: Results from the 2-year phase 3 FUTURE 5 study. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002939 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002939

Key clinical point: The achievement of stringent treatment goals with secukinumab led to clinically meaningful benefits in physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with secukinumab showing a protective effect on radiographic progression.

Major finding: Overall, over 2 years, a relatively small percentage of patients receiving secukinumab achieved sustained remission (REM) according to very low disease activity (LDA; 19%-24%) or Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA) REM (30%-36%), with those achieving DAPSA LDA+REM or DAPSA REM showing numerically greater improvement in physical function. A higher proportion of secukinumab-treated patients were non-structural progressors at 2 years irrespective of achieving sustained LDA/REM.

Study details: This was a retrospective analysis from the FUTURE 5 study including 996 patients with active PsA who were randomly assigned to receive secukinumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharma AG. Two authors declared being employees of or owning stocks/shares in Novartis, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Coates LC et al. Secukinumab improves physical function and quality of life and inhibits structural damage in patients with PsA with sustained remission or low disease activity: Results from the 2-year phase 3 FUTURE 5 study. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002939 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002939

Key clinical point: The achievement of stringent treatment goals with secukinumab led to clinically meaningful benefits in physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with secukinumab showing a protective effect on radiographic progression.

Major finding: Overall, over 2 years, a relatively small percentage of patients receiving secukinumab achieved sustained remission (REM) according to very low disease activity (LDA; 19%-24%) or Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA) REM (30%-36%), with those achieving DAPSA LDA+REM or DAPSA REM showing numerically greater improvement in physical function. A higher proportion of secukinumab-treated patients were non-structural progressors at 2 years irrespective of achieving sustained LDA/REM.

Study details: This was a retrospective analysis from the FUTURE 5 study including 996 patients with active PsA who were randomly assigned to receive secukinumab or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis Pharma AG. Two authors declared being employees of or owning stocks/shares in Novartis, and several authors reported ties with various sources, including Novartis.

Source: Coates LC et al. Secukinumab improves physical function and quality of life and inhibits structural damage in patients with PsA with sustained remission or low disease activity: Results from the 2-year phase 3 FUTURE 5 study. RMD Open. 2023;9(2):e002939 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002939