Differential Drug Survival of Biologic Therapies for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR)

J Invest Dermatol. 2015 Nov;135(11):2632-2640. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.208. Epub 2015 Jun 8.

Abstract

Drug survival reflects a drug's effectiveness, safety, and tolerability. We assessed the drug survival of biologics used to treat psoriasis in a prospective national pharmacovigilance cohort (British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR)). The survival rates of the first course of biologics for 3,523 biologic-naive patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were compared using survival analysis techniques and predictors of discontinuation analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Data for patients on adalimumab (n=1,879), etanercept (n=1,098), infliximab (n=96), and ustekinumab (n=450) were available. The overall survival rate in the first year was 77%, falling to 53% in the third year. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender (hazard ratio (HR) 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-1.37), being a current smoker (HR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.38), and a higher baseline dermatology life quality index (HR 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.02) were predictors of discontinuation. Presence of psoriatic arthritis (HR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71-0.96) was a predictor for drug survival. As compared with adalimumab, patients on etanercept (HR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.45-1.84) or infliximab (HR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.16-2.09) were more likely to discontinue therapy, whereas patients on ustekinumab were more likely to persist (HR 0.48; 95% CI: 0.37-0.62). After accounting for relevant covariates, ustekinumab had the highest first-course drug survival. The results of this study will aid clinical decision making when choosing biologic therapy for psoriasis patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab / administration & dosage
  • Adult
  • Biological Products / administration & dosage*
  • Biological Products / pharmacokinetics
  • Biological Therapy / methods
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dermatology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Etanercept / administration & dosage
  • Etanercept / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab / administration & dosage
  • Infliximab / pharmacokinetics
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose*
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psoriasis / diagnosis*
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Registries*
  • Societies, Medical
  • Ustekinumab / administration & dosage
  • Ustekinumab / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Infliximab
  • Ustekinumab
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept