Efficacy of systemic treatments for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Dermatology. 2009;219(3):209-18. doi: 10.1159/000233234. Epub 2009 Aug 5.

Abstract

Aims: To compare the efficacy of psoriasis treatments through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were identified and assessed for quality. PASI responses were modeled using a mixed-treatment comparison, which enabled the estimation of the relative effectiveness of several treatments. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results: Twenty-two trials were included. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors were most likely to achieve PASI 75, with a mean relative risk (RR) of 15.57 (95% CI 12.46-19.25) versus mean RRs of 9.24 (95% CI 5.33-13.91) for systemic and 5.65 (95% CI 3.74-7.97) for T-cell therapies. Infliximab (81%) and adalimumab (71%) had greater probabilities of achieving PASI 75 than etanercept (50%). Dosage was an important determinant of outcome.

Conclusions: TNF inhibitors were more effective than T cell agents; adalimumab and infliximab were more effective than systemic therapies and etanercept. Evidence-based comparisons support patient and physician decisions.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Etanercept
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Infliximab
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis*
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept