ABSTRACT

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects peripheral joints, axial skeleton and enthesis, nail and skin. T helper-17 cells and Interleukin-17 (IL-17) play a major role in PsA pathogenesis. Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 antibody that neutralizes IL-17A which is used for the treatment of moderate/severe psoriasis and PsA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the response rates of PsA patients, who were followed up at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, Policlinic of Biological Drug at the 16th week of secukinumab treatment.

In this retrospective study, 18-year-old and older PsA patients, who were diagnosed according to the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis and who were started to secukinumab treatment from May 2018 to December 2019, were enrolled. The disease activity indices at the beginning and at the 16th week of the secukinumab treatment were analyzed. A p-value of <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

A total of 16 PsA patients were included in the study. There was a statistically significant decrease in tender and swollen joint counts at the beginning of the treatment and 16th week of the treatment. There was also a significant difference in 28 joint disease activity scores with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and 28 joint disease activity scores with C-reactive protein and Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index between two groups (p=0.008, p=0.003, p=0.021, respectively).

In this study, a decrease in disease activity markers was detected in PsA patients in whom secukinumab was initiated in our clinic compared to the initiation of treatment at the 16th week of treatment. Considering PsA a severe form of arthritis causing joint damage and functional disability, secukinumab promises favorable outcome for the treatment of PsA.

Keywords: Inflammation, Psoriatic Arthritis, Secukinumab