RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pharmacoeconomic Issues in Psoriatic Arthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 103
OP 105
DO 10.3899/jrheum.120258
VO 89
A1 IGNAZIO OLIVIERI
A1 SALVATORE D’ANGELO
A1 CARLO PALAZZI
A1 ANGELA PADULA
A1 ENNIO LUBRANO
A1 LORENZO GIOVANNI MANTOVANI
YR 2012
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/89/103.abstract
AB Therapies for psoriatic arthritis were inadequate until a short time ago. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are helpful in relieving symptoms but do not prevent joint damage. Traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are used to control symptoms, but there is no evidence that they prevent or significantly slow the progression of structural damage in peripheral joints. The introduction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blocking agents has opened new horizons. These drugs lessen signs and symptoms of inflammation, enhance functional capacity and quality of life, and inhibit structural joint damage. On the other hand, TNF-α blockers are very costly and not easily available to all patients, whether they rely on a national health system or on private insurance. Pharmacoeconomic studies on these drugs so far have shown that they are cost-effective on both the musculoskeletal and skin manifestations of psoriatic disease, offering good value for money.