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Objective: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of etanercept to treat psoriatic arthritis. Materials and methods: A total of 1122 patients who had active psoriatic arthritis were enrolled in a Phase 4, non-randomized, open-label, single-arm, 24-week study. These patients had clinically stable, plaque psoriasis involving ≥10% body surface area and joint disease (either ≥two swollen and ≥two tender/painful joints for ≥3 months, or ≥one joint with sacroiliitis or spondylitis). They received etanercept therapy 50 mg subcutaneously once weekly for 24 weeks. Results: After 24 weeks of treatment, 865 patients (77.1%; 95% CI: 74.64-79.55%) achieved a 'mild or better' score on the physician global assessment of psoriasis and were improved from baseline. Mean improvement in body surface area involvement was 16.9 percentage points (15.89-17.91). Patient global assessment of psoriasis, joint pain, and joint disease scores were improved by means of 2.2 (2.15-2.34), 2.7 (2.53-2.84), and 1.5 (1.39-1.55), respectively. Thirty-five patients (3.1%) experienced at least one serious adverse event. No patient died during the study. Conclusions: These results support the effectiveness and tolerability of etanercept treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis being treated at dermatology clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the skin and joint disease of patients with psoriatic arthritis being treated in dermatology clinics. Methods: A total of 1122 patients who had active psoriatic arthritis were enrolled in a Phase 4, non‐randomized, open‐label, single‐arm, 24‐week study. They were treated at 108 community and 17 academic dermatology centers. These patients experienced clinically stable, plaque psoriasis involving ⩾̸10% body surface area and joint disease (either ⩾̸ two swollen and ⩾̸ two tender/painful joints for ⩾̸3 months, or ⩾̸ one joint with sacroiliitis or spondylitis). Results: In general, patient demographics and disease characteristics did not appear to differ between academic and community dermatology sites. Based on patient‐reported assessments, patients rated the severity of their baseline joint symptoms lower than the severity of their skin disease. Baseline skin and joint disease measures were not correlated. Psoriatic arthritis was newly diagnosed in 23% of the patients. Most had received prior therapy for psoriasis, but only half had received systemic therapy for psoriatic arthritis. Conclusion: Assessment for joint disease in psoriasis patients being treated at dermatology clinics may facilitate earlier psoriatic arthritis diagnosis and treatment initiation, which may prevent disability and other negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]