Biologic Therapy Reduces Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

Biologic therapy may reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by reducing the inflammatory burden, according to a recent study published in Reumatología Clínica.

Since obesity causes low-grade systemic inflammation and is a negative predictor of PsA treatment response, researchers aimed to determine whether any interactions between metabolic status, inflammatory parameters, and disease activity exist. They also aimed to determine whether metabolic or cardiovascular diseases are associated with a reduction in inflammatory burden by treating PsA.

The cross-sectional descriptive study included 160 patients with PsA and used statistical analyses to carry out comparisons and correlations.

Body mass index and waist circumference showed a low correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), but no relationship was determined using Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis or meeting Minimal Disease Activity criteria. Biologic therapy use showed an association with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular events and enthesitis. Further, they are associated with normal levels of CRP and ESR when compared with conventional therapies.

“Anti-TNFα treatment could reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with [PsA],” concluded the study authors. “There may be higher levels of CRP and ESR in obese individuals without this necessarily implying higher disease activity,” they continued.

Reference
Lorenzo Martín JA, Pardo Campo E, Pino Martinez M, Colazo Burlato M, Queiro Silva MR. Psoriatic arthritis: interaction between cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory burden of the disease. Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed). Published online November 16, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.reumae.2021.05.003