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Early initiation of biologic treatment in psoriasis helps prevent the cumulative burden of disease
A large proportion of patients with psoriasis need to switch biologic treatment after initiation. This finding emerges from two Finnish real-world evidence (RWE) studies, one focusing on plaque psoriasis and the other on psoriatic arthritis.
Among patients with plaque psoriasis, approximately one in eight switched biologic treatment within the first year, while more than one in five patients with psoriatic arthritis changed treatment during the same period.
The results are based on two RWE studies conducted by Medaffcon. One study examined plaque psoriasis and the other psoriatic arthritis. The studies were led by Medaffcon’s Senior Scientific Advisor, Liisa Ukkola-Vuoti, and were published in Frontiers Dermatology and the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology.
“Based on these findings, there is still room for new biologic therapies. Another key observation is that biologic treatment should be initiated as early as possible to prevent the cumulative burden of disease,” says Ukkola-Vuoti.
Impact on daily life and healthcare use
The studies provide insight into how initiating or switching biologic treatment affects patients’ everyday lives and healthcare utilization. In both patient groups, sick leave began to increase before biologic treatment was initiated.
According to Ukkola-Vuoti, treatment is often started only after the disease has already placed a prolonged strain on daily life and work ability. After initiation of biologic treatment, sick leave decreased among patients starting biologic therapy for the first time.
In contrast, among patients who switched biologic treatments, sick leave continued to accumulate.
Higher disability pension rates among patients who switched treatment
Patients who switched biologic therapy were more likely to receive disability pensions than those starting biologic treatment for the first time. In addition, healthcare utilisation and related costs remained higher or even increased despite switching treatment.
Among first-time users of biologic therapy, visits to specialised healthcare and associated costs decreased within one year after treatment initiation.
Unmet treatment needs remain
Unmet treatment needs are evident already before biologic therapy is started, as shown by increasing number of sick leave days and growing healthcare utilization. Earlier and more effective initiation of treatment could help prevent the cumulative impact of the disease. Simply switching between biologic therapies does not always resolve the situation once the disease has progressed.
Plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic inflammatory diseases that can significantly impair quality of life and work ability. Although biologic therapies have improved treatment outcomes, they do not provide sufficient or lasting benefit for all patients.
The studies were conducted by Medaffcon in collaboration with UCB Pharma. Both were based on comprehensive Finnish nationwide registry data. The plaque psoriasis study included 2,437 patients, and the psoriatic arthritis study included 2,546 patients. Study period was from 2013 to 2022.
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A population-based registry study on psoriasis-associated burden of disease in Finland
