TITLE:
Infliximab Therapy in Iraqi Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
AUTHORS:
Hayder R. Al-Hamamy, Ihsan A. Al-Turfy, Farah S. Abdul-Reda
KEYWORDS:
Psoriasis, TNF-α, Infliximab
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.5 No.2,
June
9,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine which plays a
critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Infliximab is an anti-TNF-α drug widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. Objectives:
To assess the efficacy and safety of infliximab in Iraqi patients with
moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Patients and Methods: In this therapeutic,
single-center study, a total of 23 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis
resistant to conventional treatments were enrolled to receive infusions of
infliximab 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6, then every 8 weeks for at least 22
weeks. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA) and
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were calculated at each visit to assess
the response to treatment and all side effects were recorded. Results: PASI
score was reduced from a mean ± SD of 17.41 ± 8.53 before treatment to 2.44 ±
2.68 after 22 weeks. At week 22, 84% of patients achieved
PASI 75, 42% achieved
PASI 90 and 28% achieved complete clearance. BSA and DLQI score were reduced
from a mean ± SD of 35.69 ± 22.44 and 20.04 ± 4.68 before treatment to 3.52 ±
4.94 and 3.87 ± 5.60 after 22 weeks, respectively. Pruritus, boils, infusion
reactions were recorded and relapse during treatment was found in 3 patients.
Conclusion: Infliximab monotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of
moderate-to-severe psoriasis, with rapid onset of action and relatively low
side effects.