Impact of adalimumab on symptoms of psoriatic arthritis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a pooled analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND Psoriatic arthritis often affects patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of adalimumab on psoriatic arthritis in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. METHODS Data from patients with psoriasis and a reported history of comorbid psoriatic arthritis in 3 randomized, placebo-controlled psoriasis trials of adalimumab were analyzed. RESULTS Adalimumab (n = 274) reduced the risk of psoriatic arthropathy adverse events by 75% versus placebo (1.1 vs. 4.8%; p = 0.025). Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis-related pain was significantly reduced (-31.3 vs. -5.6 visual analog scale units; p < 0.0001). At week 16, adalimumab-treated patients were more likely to respond (56.9 vs. 4.5%; p < 0.001) and responded for a greater percentage of follow-up time (39.3 vs. 2.9%; p< 0.0001) than placebo-treated patients (regression model for PASI 75 and ACR 20 responses). CONCLUSION Adalimumab treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis reduced symptoms of comorbid psoriatic arthritis.