Impact of Treatment Interruption on the Effectiveness of Interleukin (IL)-17A Inhibitors in Plaque Psoriasis: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease. This study aimed to investigate effectiveness of interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor treatment and effectiveness after treatment interruption in plaque psoriasis patients and analyze the related factors. Methods: This study retrospectively collected clinical characteristics and related treatment status of plaque psoriasis patients treated with IL-17A inhibitors, and evaluated the treatment effectiveness, reasons for treatment interruption, effectiveness after treatment interruption, and risk factors affecting treatment effectiveness. Results: This study ultimately included 106 patients with plaque psoriasis, including 61 males (57.55%) and 45 females (42.45%), aged 41.0 (31.0-54.0) years and with a disease duration of 12.0 (8.0-20.0) months. Among them, 71 cases (67%) achieved PASI90 after receiving IL-17A inhibitor treatment, and 35 cases (33.02%) achieved PASI75. A total of 50 patients (50/106, 47.17%) interrupted treatment, 23 patients (23/50, 46%) maintained a therapeutic effect of PASI90 or above, and 27 patients (27/50, 54%) had a therapeutic effect lower than PASI75, with median time of treatment interruption of 1.0 (1.0-3.5) months. Univariate analysis findings showed that duration of IL-17A inhibitor treatment interruption and reasons for interruption had significant statistical significance on treatment effectiveness (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, treatment interruption (OR=7.154, 95% CI: 2.528-20.24) and reasons such as stress/anxiety (OR: 14.889, 95% CI: 1.160-23.480) were risk factors affecting treatment effectiveness. Conclusion: Interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor treatment interruption plays critical effects on the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Early and long-term adherence to IL-17A inhibitor treatment can control the course of the disease and improve the long-term health of psoriasis patients.