Clinical experience has shown that, in patients with psoriasis, suspending treatment with etanercept at week 24, as indicated in the prescribing information, may lead to a rebound effect. Several clinical trials support long-term use of etanercept, which was shown to have a good safety and efficacy profile.
Material and methodsThis was a retrospective, observational study of 43 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with and without joint involvement, who received continuous treatment with etanercept for more than 24 weeks.
ResultsEtanercept was administered for a mean of 57 weeks. Overall, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score decreased from a baseline value of 22.5 to 4.3 after treatment. In addition, with continuous treatment, most patients maintained decreases in PASI scores of 50% and even of 75%. Some patients without significant improvement in their PASI score in the first 24 weeks did manage to achieve significant results after prolonged treatment. These outcomes were achieved with a low incidence of adverse effects (reported in 13 patients [30.2%]), which were generally mild.
ConclusionsWe present our clinical experience with long-term etanercept treatment in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, with and without associated joint involvement. The efficacy and safety profiles were found to be favorable.
La experiencia clínica demuestra que la suspensión del tratamiento con etanercept en pacientes con psoriasis en la semana 24, como indica la ficha técnica del fármaco, produce en algunos casos rebrote de la enfermedad. Existen diversos ensayos que avalan el uso de etanercept a largo plazo con un buen perfil de seguridad y eficacia.
Material y métodosEstudio observacional, retrospectivo, en el que se recogió a 43 pacientes con psoriasis en placas de moderada a grave, con y sin artropatía, tratados con etanercept de forma continua durante más de 24 semanas.
ResultadosEl etanercept se administró durante un tiempo promedio de 57 semanas, y disminuyó el PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) de forma global de un valor basal de 22,5 a 4,3. Además, con el tratamiento continuo, la mayor parte de los pacientes mantuvieron puntuaciones PASI inferiores al 50% o incluso al 75%. Por otra parte, algunos pacientes que no alcanzaron mejorías significativas en su puntuación PASI en las primeras 24 semanas pueden conseguirlo prolongando el tratamiento. Todo ello con una baja incidencia de efectos adversos (13 pacientes [30,2%]) y de características leves.
ConclusionesExponemos nuestra experiencia clínica con el tratamiento con etanercept a largo plazo en pacientes con psoriasis de moderada a grave, con y sin artropatía asociada, y demostramos un perfil favorable de eficacia y seguridad.
