Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Jul;59(6):440-446.

Comparative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes Following Regular vs. Irregular Administration of Biologics in Patients with Psoriasis

• Choi GW
• Lim NJ
• Shin JU
• Lee HJ
• Yoon MS
• Kim DH

Abstract

Background
Patients with stable psoriasis showing clear/near-clear response can consider extending the dosing interval of biologics. However, few studies have reported the treatment outcomes following irregular dosing intervals of biologics in patients with psoriasis.
Objective
We compared treatment outcomes after regular and irregular dosing intervals of biologics in patients with psoriasis.
Methods
This single-center, retrospective observational study included patients who received biologics for treatment of plaque psoriasis between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. We compared patient demographics, clinical characteristics, biologics administered, and treatment outcomes based on the regularity of the dosing interval.
Results
Among 95 patients investigated, 63 (66.3%) received biologics at regular dosing intervals. We observed no significant intergroup differences in the final Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores (1.2 vs. 1.8, p=0.16) and in the percentage improvement in PASI scores from baseline levels (−89.8% vs. −90.8%, p=0.68). The rate at which biologics were switched was higher in the irregular-dosing group than in the regular-dosing group; however, the difference was statistically nonsignificant (28.1% vs. 12.7%, p=0.06). We observed a significant intergroup difference in patients who were administered guselkumab at baseline (12 [21.8%] vs. 0 [0.0%], p=0.01).
Conclusion
This study showed that compared with regular dosing intervals, irregular dosing intervals of biologics were associated with high rates of switching of these agents, although we observed no statistically significant differences with regard to PASI scores. Therefore, it is important to adhere to the standard dosing schedule prescribed for biologics, and guselkumab may improve patient compliance.

Keyword

Biological products; Drug administration schedule; Psoriasis; Therapeutics