Secukinumab improves scalp pain, itching, scaling and quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis

Introduction: Scalp psoriasis adversely affects patients’ lives and is often resistant to treatment; however, it has not been a major focus of a clinical study. This analysis assessed the effect of secukinumab on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) of scalp psoriasis. Methods: A randomized, double-blind...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Steven R. Feldman, Lawrence Green, Alexa B. Kimball, Kimberly Siu, Yang Zhao, Vivian Herrera, Judit Nyirady, Andrew F. Alexis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2017-11-01
Series:Journal of Dermatological Treatment
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2017.1329502
Description
Summary:Introduction: Scalp psoriasis adversely affects patients’ lives and is often resistant to treatment; however, it has not been a major focus of a clinical study. This analysis assessed the effect of secukinumab on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) of scalp psoriasis. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was conducted in 102 adult patients with moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis. Patients were randomized 1:1 to secukinumab 300 mg or placebo. Patients rated their scalp-related pain, itching and scaling using a 0–10 numeric rating scale (higher scores indicate greater severity). Scalp dermatitis-related quality of life (QOL) was assessed at baseline and then every 4 weeks using the Scalpdex. Analysis of covariance models examined PRO effect up to 12 weeks. Results: Baseline scalp pain, itching and scaling mean (SD) values were 3.1 (3.00), 6.7 (2.60) and 7.3 (2.02) and similar for both treatment groups. At week 12, patients treated with secukinumab reported greater reduction in scalp pain (−1.98 vs. 0.61), itching (−4.07 vs. −0.04) and scaling (−5.76 vs. −0.95) as well as greater improvements in Scalpdex total scores (−39.62 vs. −7.91) compared with placebo (all p < .001). Discussion/Conclusions: Secukinumab in moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis reduces scalp pain, itching, and scaling and improves patients’ QOL.
ISSN:0954-6634
1471-1753