- FRIDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) — The use of biologics is the
focus of new guidelines for the management of mild to severe psoriasis and
psoriatic arthritis released by the American Academy of Dermatology
(ADA).

Biologics — given by injection or infusion — are systemic medications
that pinpoint immune responses involved with psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis.

About 6 million to 7 million Americans have psoriasis, and between
300,000 and 750,000 have psoriatic arthritis. The new guidelines, based on
an analysis of scientific studies of the conditions, were published in the
May issue of the Journal of the American Academy of
Dermatology.

“As a result of the impartial analysis of the most current research,
physicians now have evidence-based guidelines which will help enhance the
quality of care for patients and ultimately their safety,” ADA President
Dr. C. William Hanke said in a prepared statement.

“The guidelines for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which focus on
the use of biologics, are the first phase of the academy's efforts. The
academy is currently working on the second phase of these guidelines,
which will provide evidence-based advice for the management of psoriasis
with topical therapies, ultraviolet light therapy, and systemic
non-biologic therapies for psoriasis.”

The new guidelines advise that topical treatments are appropriate for
patients who are good candidates for localized therapy. But, in many
cases, topical treatments should not be used exclusively to treat
psoriasis if patients would benefit from a combination of systemic and/or
phototherapy treatments.

Currently, five biologics are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for treatment of psoriasis, and three of those five are
approved for psoriatic arthritis.

Because biologics target the immune system, it's important to use all
approaches, including vaccination, to prevent infection, the guidelines
state. However, once biologic therapy has started, patients should avoid
vaccinations with live vaccines and consult their dermatologist before
receiving vaccination of any kind.

Patients undergoing biologic therapy need to have periodic
re-evaluations by their dermatologist to check for the development of new
symptoms, including infections and potential cancers.

“Regardless of the therapy that is used to treat psoriasis or psoriatic
arthritis, patients need to be in constant contact with their
dermatologists to report any unusual side effects or fluctuations in their
condition that may require an adjustment in their medications or indicate
the onset of psoriatic arthritis or another secondary medical condition,”
Hanke said. “These guidelines should help further the understanding of the
current psoriasis therapies and help enhance the overall health and
quality of life of patients.”

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases has more about psoriasis.