Study shows infliximab tx aids psoriatic arthritis patients

According to a research study presented yesterday, infliximab (Remicade) was found effective in treating psoriatic arthritis.

The purpose of the phase 3, randomized, controlled trial study was to evaluate the effect of infliximab on physical functioning with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ DI) as measures.

The study was conducted by Arthur Kavanaugh, M.D., University of California, San Diego, division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, La Jolla, Calif., and a team of other researchers. Two hundred patients with PsA were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous (IV) infusions of either infliximab, 5 mg/kg, or placebo at weeks 0, 2, 6, 14, and 22. The primary endpoint was evaluated at week 14. The HAQ DI (scores ranging from 0 to 3) were administered at weeks 0, 14 and 24. A test on Van der Waerden scores and a x2 test were performed to compare the two treatment groups.

Results showed the mean and median baseline HAQ DI scores were 1.1 in both treatment groups, indicating a substantial impairment in the physical function of these patients. At week 14, the percentage of improvement in the HAQ DI score in the infliximab group was significantly greater than that observed in the placebo group (mean [median]: 48.6 percent [42.9 percent] vs. 18.4 percent [0 percent]; P\.001). The results after week 24 were similar: (46 percent [42.9 percent] vs. 19.4 percent [0 percent]; P\.001.

Disclosure: Dr. Kavanaugh has consulted for and participated in clinical research sponsored by Centocor, Amgen and Abbot Laboratories.