Background

Psoriasis can greatly impact patients' lives by influencing clothing worn as well as by impairing sexual functioning. Secukinumab, a human monoclonal antibody selectively neutralizing interleukin-17A, has demonstrated good efficacy and safety in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with a rapid onset of action and sustained response.

Objective

This analysis using the CLEAR study, a phase 3b double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of secukinumab vs. ustekinumab in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, evaluated the treatment effects on patient's daily activities and personal relationships.

Methods

Impact on daily activities (interference with home/shopping/garden, and influence on clothes worn) and impact on personal relationships (problems with partner/others, and sexual difficulties) as well as their corresponding subscales were selected from the Dermatology Life Quality Index scale and evaluated for patients treated with secukinumab vs. ustekinumab from the CLEAR study. Treatment differences in mean scores and proportions of responders (score = 0, indicating no impact) were evaluated through 52 weeks. Time to response was evaluated through Week 16.

Results

Significant differences between secukinumab and ustekinumab were observed for daily activities and personal relationships at Week 16 and sustained through Week 52 (Week 52 response rates for daily activities: 82.9% vs. 73.5%, including interference with home/shopping/garden: 88.5% vs. 78.2%, and influence on clothes worn: 85.6% vs. 74.4%; personal relationships: 86.1% vs. 73.7%, including problems with partner/others: 86.6% vs. 74.8%, and sexual difficulties: 88.5% vs. 74.3%; all P < 0.01). The median time to response was 4 weeks for secukinumab vs. 8 weeks for ustekinumab for daily activities and personal relationships (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Secukinumab treatment helps patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis have a more normal life faster when compared to ustekinumab, by providing greater and sustained improvement in clothing choice and sexual functioning.