Infliximab efficacy in nail psoriasis. A retrospective study in 48 patients.

BACKGROUND

Nail psoriasis occurs in up to half of psoriatic patients and can lead to significant physical impairment and pain. To date, patients and clinicians are actually dissatisfied by current therapeutic approaches.

OBJECTIVE

Our main aim is to evaluate Infliximab efficacy in nail psoriasis.

METHODS

We performed an open-label and uncontrolled retrospective study considering all psoriatic patients presenting recalcitrant nail involvement and receiving Infliximab in our Department during the period between January 2008 and March 2009. We calculated nail psoriasis severity index (NAPSI) score at 0, 14, 22 and 38 weeks and percentage of patients achieving NAPSI-50,-75,-90 at 14, 22 and 38 weeks.

RESULTS

We observed a rapid nail improvement in most cases after 22 weeks of Infliximab therapy, but a complete nail clearing was reached in only five (10.4%) patients. We don't have a follow-up longer than 38 weeks to assess long-term efficacy of this treatment in nail psoriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab, in our experience, has proved to be effective in reducing nail lesions and, in some cases, even clearing them. Our data demonstrate long-term efficacy of this biological agent in nail psoriasis.