Redefining the therapeutic objective in psoriatic patients candidates for biological therapy

J Dermatolog Treat. 2018 Jun;29(4):334-346. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1395794. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Abstract

The advances in psoriasis management currently allow achieving a good control of the disease. In particular, with the latest developed molecules, available evidence suggests that it is possible to pose an ambitious therapeutic goal, such as a Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1, a Physician Global Assessment 0/1, or a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90/100 response. However, patients often fail to achieve the complete clearance of their cutaneous lesions or the improvement of disease factors that impair their quality of life. To optimize the treatment of psoriasis, it is not enough to define precisely the therapeutic objective, but also to adapt the therapeutic strategy to make the necessary modifications in case of not achieving it at the time point (at the end of the induction phase, or every 3-6 months) to be agreed with the patient (the so-called treat-to-target approach). In the present report, based on the Delphi methodology, 11 dermatologists from the Spanish Psoriasis Group addressed key issues that could be involved in the achievement and maintenance of the therapeutic goals of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The document provides 27 consensus statements intended to support clinical decision-making by healthcare professionals for patients who might be candidates to receive biologic therapy.

Keywords: DLQI; PASI; Psoriasis; absolute PASI; biological therapy; therapeutic objective; treat-to-target strategy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Therapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Psoriasis / therapy*
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents