Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology • Hot Topics in Psoriasis February 2024 • News & Trends

BIMZELX® APPROVED BY THE US FDA FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADULTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE PLAQUE PSORIASIS

This autumn, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved BIMZELX (bimekizumab) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy. Bimekizumab is the first FDA-approved medication to selectively inhibit interleukin (IL)- 17A and IL-F. Efficacy and safety data from three Phase III trials supported this approval.

NEW TOOL USES CLINICAL VARIABLES TO PREDICT PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

Researchers have developed a tool to predict the risk of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis. Data from 635 patients with psoriasis and no psoriatic arthritis at baseline were utilized in the creation of the risk prediction tool. Factors linked to development of psoriatic arthritis within five years included morning stiffness, nail lesions, disease severity, fatigue, pain, and use of nonbiologic therapies.

IS THERE AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PSORIASIS ONSET AND RISK OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE?

According to a study published in Scientific Reports, patients with psoriasis had a significantly greater risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, and lupus erythematosus, compared to healthy controls. When controlling for Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and type of insurance, the risk of all autoimmune diseases, except for Type 1 diabetes, was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis.

PATIENTS WITH MILD PSORIASIS FACE LESS FAVORABLE STATUS AT DIAGNOSIS, FIRST LINE OF TREATMENT, STUDY FINDS

Compared to patients with moderate psoriasis, those with mild psoriasis experienced a smaller reduction in mean percentage of affected body surface area (BSA) and received less aggressive treatments at initial diagnosis, according to a recent cross-sectional survey. Patients with mild psoriasis had a moderate skin coverage, with a mean affected BSA of 6.2 percent. A higher proportion of patients with mild disease reported a disease flare at the time of the survey.

Recent research has identified minimal differences in spontaneous skin cell mutations between psoriasis and control samples, and there were no functional differences between psoriatic and nonpsoriatic tissues. Additionally, researchers could not identify an association between psoriasis and specific somatic mutations.

BLACK RACE, MALE SEX INCREASE PALMOPLANTAR PSORIASIS RISK IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Among pediatric patients with psoriasis, researchers found that significantly more Black individuals (41.9%) had palmoplantar psoriasis, compared to Hispanic/Latino (11.5%) and White (8.9%) patients. Compared to White patients, Black patients had a 6.386-fold higher risk of palmoplantar psoriasis. Additionally, male sex was associated with a 2.241-fold increased risk of palmoplantar psoriasis, compared to female sex.

RESEARCH BITE—An observational study of 147 patients with psoriasis: overweight and obesity as significant clinical factors correlated with psoriasis

Among 147 patients with psoriasis, 39.46 and 37.41 percent had overweight and obesity, respectively. Nail involvement and psoriatic arthritis occurred more frequently in patients with overweight/obesity (77.66% and 77.77%, respectively), compared to those with normal weight (22.34% and 22.22%, respectively). Among patients with overweight/obesity, body mass index was significantly, positively associated with Psoriasis Area Severity Index and body surface area.

Source: Czarnecka A, Zabłotna M, Purzycka-Bohdan D, et al. An observational study of 147 patients with psoriasis: overweightness and obesity as significant clinical factors correlated with psoriasis. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(11):2006.