Analysis: Lower PsA Risk Linked to Psoriasis Treatment Target Achievement

Patients with psoriasis who achieve the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) treatment target after starting biologic therapy may experience a reduced risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA), according to findings from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry.

Data from this real-world study, presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, included 1,371 biologic-naïve patients with baseline body surface area (BSA) involvement > 3% and no history of PsA. Participants began their first biologic therapy and were evaluated for achievement of NPF treatment goals (acceptable BSA ≤ 3% or ≥ 75% improvement) and target (BSA ≤ 1%) 3 to 15 months after treatment initiation. Incidence of PsA, determined by clinical diagnosis or a Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) score > 3, was assessed over 5 years.

Among the 1,352 patients evaluable for the NPF target goal analysis, 70.9% (958 patients) achieved the target. PsA incidence was significantly lower in the achievers group (6.46 cases per 100 person-years; 95% CI; 5.47 to 7.62) vs. those who did not achieve the target (8.82 cases per 100 person-years; 95% CI; 7.04 to 11.07). The overall PsA incidence for the cohort was 7.12 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI; 6.23 to 8.14).

"These findings suggest that patients attaining the NPF treatment target goal after initiating their first biologic therapy for PsO may have reduced risk of PsA," the researchers concluded. "Multivariable analysis for adjusted associations is currently underway."

Source: Strober B, et al. Incidence of Psoriatic Arthritis in Biologic-Naïve Psoriasis Patients Achieving National Psoriasis Foundation’s Treat to Target Goals: A Real-World Study With the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry. Presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, March 7-11, 2025; Orlando.