TY - JOUR T1 - Biological Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis in Clinical Practice: Outcomes Up to 2 Years JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 2362 LP - 2368 DO - 10.3899/jrheum.091477 VL - 37 IS - 11 AU - LIISA M. VIRKKI AU - BINDU C. SUMATHIKUTTY AU - MERJA AARNIO AU - HEIKKI VALLEALA AU - RIITTA HEIKKILÄ AU - MARKKU KAUPPI AU - KRISTA KARSTILA AU - LAURA PIRILÄ AU - PÄIVI EKMAN AU - SIRPA SALOMAA AU - MATTI ROMU AU - JOUKO SEPPÄLÄ AU - HELENA NIINISALO AU - YRJÖ T. KONTTINEN AU - DAN C. NORDSTRÖM Y1 - 2010/11/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/37/11/2362.abstract N2 - Objective. To evaluate the performance of biological drugs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a routine care setting, using the Finnish national register of biological treatment (ROB-FIN). Methods. Patients with PsA who started therapy with infliximab or etanercept between June 2000 and February 2006 (n = 127) were followed for up to 24 months. Response was evaluated using American College of Rheumatology response criteria including individual measures. Results. Significantly diminished values for swollen and tender joints, patient’s global and pain assessments, doctor’s global assessment of disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and Health Assessment Questionnaire score were observed within 3 months after commencement of both infliximab and etanercept. Values remained significantly lower throughout the 24 months of followup. ACR20 response at 3 months was 79% (n = 22/28) for infliximab and 76% (n = 34/45) for etanercept. The first biological drug was discontinued in 16% due to lack of effectiveness and in 6% due to adverse events. Conclusion. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy, often combined with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, appeared to have limited toxicity and persistent effectiveness for up to 2 years in a cohort of Finnish patients with severe peripheral PsA. ER -