Long-term safety of etanercept in psoriasis: Retrospective study focused on infections

Objective: Retrospective study to evaluate the incidence of infectious adverse events in patients with psoriasis treated with etanercept.

Methods: Patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who were treated with etanercept (50 mg, administered weekly via subcutaneous injection) for ≥48 weeks were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were screened for occult infections before treatment commenced, and then every 12 months thereafter. Minor (not requiring hospitalization and/or discontinuation of treatment) and major (requiring hospitalization and/or discontinuation of treatment) infectious events were recorded.

Results: The study included 50 patients. Minor infectious events included self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections (six patients), lower urinary tract infections (one patient) and recurrent herpes simplex labialis (two patients). Major infections occurred in only two cases.

Conclusion: These data support the good safety profile of etanercept in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.