Effects of TNFα inhibitors in patients with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, that is increasingly being considered as a systemic disorder. Among associated comorbidities, metabolic syndrome plays an important role. The effects of biological therapies on metabolic syndrome is controversial.

METHODS: Thirty-one psoriatic patients with metabolic syndrome, eligible to treatment with anti-TNFα agents, were enrolled. Metabolic parameters were measured during 4 subsequent visits, one every 40 to 60 days. PASI, BSA and DLQI assessed the severity of psoriasis and the impact on quality of life.

RESULTS: We include 31 patients, 18 treated with etanercept and 13 with adalimumab. Metabolic parameters evaluated at V4 in both groups showed different trends in the blood glucose values: a slight decrease in adalimumab group, an increase in etanercept group, with an almost significant comparison test (P=0.073). Similarly, the lipid profile revealed an opposing trend, with an increase in triglycerides in adalimumab patients, and a decrease in the other group, without statistically significant differences. No statistically significant difference was recorded in HDL cholesterol. An improvement in systolic and diastolic pressure was appreciated in both groups, although not significantly. The waist circumference slightly decreased in both groups. PASI 75 score was reached in 60% of the patients. In addition, BSA and DLQI improved.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a slight improvement of metabolic parameters, at times with a trend toward significance. Additional long-term studies and a larger number of patients are needed to more clearly define the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease and understand the effect of biological therapies on metabolic parameters.