Treating moderate plaque psoriasis: prospective 6-month chart review of patients treated with apremilast

Abstract

Purpose: Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, was effective in clinical trials in patients with moderate plaque psoriasis (affected body surface area [BSA] 5% to 10%). However, findings from real-world clinical practice are limited. Materials and methods: An online survey and chart review was conducted among US dermatologists during October 2015 to identify clinical characteristics and 6-month treatment outcomes among patients with moderate psoriasis treated with apremilast. Results: A total of 83 dermatologists provided patient chart information at the initial and 6-month follow-up time points for 70 patients with moderate plaque psoriasis initially receiving apremilast, of whom 65 were receiving it as their primary therapy (mean age: 47.3 years; 45% were men). Among apremilast-treated patients, 91% (64 of 70) remained on apremilast and 54% were rated as having improved to mild psoriasis at follow-up; mean BSA decreased from 9.9% at initial chart review to 4.9%. There were 8 of 66 (12%) patients who experienced ≥1 side effect, including diarrhea (7.6%), nausea (4.5%), headache (1.5%), and abdominal pain (4.5%). Most dermatologists (68%) stated that apremilast exceeded or met their expectations. Conclusions: Most patients with moderate psoriasis receiving apremilast had improved at 6-month follow-up. Safety and tolerability were consistent with the safety profile of apremilast.