Long-term eff ectiveness of biologic therapies in moderate to severe psoriasis: impact on patient outcomes and quality of life

I n t r o d u c t i o n. Biologic therapies have emerged as a signifi cant treatment for the patients with the psoriasis ranging from the moderate to severe infl ammatory condition featured by the silvery scales and erythematous plaques.

A i m. To evaluate the long-term eff ectiveness of various biologic therapies in reducing psoriasis severity; to investigate the impact of biologic therapies on patients’ quality of life (QoL); to analyse the eff ect of demographic and clinical characteristics (age, sex, baseline disease severity, comorbidities, and adherence to therapy) on treatment outcomes.

M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . A quantitative methodology research approach was applied, and data were collected from 200 psoriasis patients using a purposive sampling technique with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS tool version 23 package through performing ANOVA, frequency, and regression analysis.

R e s u l t s. The outcomes of the study revealed that long-term eff ectiveness of biological therapies has signifi cant impact on the psoriasis severity. Furthermore, the biologic therapies improve the QoL of the patients. Ixekizumab had the highest proportion of complete skin clearance (PASI 100) at 24 weeks (60,1%), as compared to adalimumab (46,6%), with statistically signifi cant diff erences found (p < 0,001). Long-term biologic therapy dramatically decreased the severity of psoriasis (ANOVA, p < 0,001) and enhanced the QoL (regression, R² = 0,305, p < 0,001). Older age (β = 0,881, p < 0,001) and male sex (β = 0,225, p = 0,009) were related to more positive treatment experiences, with comorbidities not having a signifi cant association. The demographic and clinical characteristics like age, gender, and therapy adherence positively impacts on the treatment outcomes. On contrary, the existence of other illnesses does not have a signifi cant impact on the overall rating of treatment experience.

C o n c l u s i o n. Biologic treatments – in particular ixekizumab – provide signifi cant and sustained gains in both clinical and QoL outcomes for moderate to severe psoriasis patients. Tailor-made treatment regimens taking clinical and demographic characteristics into consideration can also maximise patient satisfaction and compliance. Overall, the results of the study demonstrate the eff ectiveness of integration of biologic therapies in the management of psoriasis to alleviate the symptoms and thereby improving the QoL of the patients.

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