The impact of tildrakizumab on quality of life in patients suffering from moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a 36-week prospective, monocentric, real-life, observational study

Abstract Background Psoriasis may significantly affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. Clinical assessment has been combined with HRQoL scores to evaluate the ways in which cutaneous disease affects patients. Tildrakizumab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 and is approved for the management of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Objectives To evaluate the impact of tildrakizumab treatment on the psychological symptoms experienced by patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods A 36-week observational study that enrolled patients with psoriasis who initiated treatment with tildrakizumab 100 mg was carried out. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Skindex-16 questionnaires were administered at baseline and at weeks 12, 24 and 36. Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), body surface area (BSA) involvement (%) and a visual analogue scale for pruritus (p-VAS) were also assessed at baseline and at each follow-up visit. Results Thirty-four patients were enrolled. Baseline mean (SD) PASI score and BSA involvement were 28.4 (5.6) and 38.8 (21.4), respectively. The mean (SD) DLQI, Skindex-16 and p-VAS scores at baseline were 26.4 (3.2), 68 (5.8) and 8.2 (SD not available for p-VAS). Clinical improvement was assessed at weeks 12 [PASI: 12.4 (4.2); BSA involvement: 16.5 (7.3)], 24 [PASI: 4.2 (2.8); BSA involvement: 6.1 (3.1)] and 36 [PASI: 3.6 (3.2); BSA involvement: 4.2 (1.37)]. Clinical improvement was accompanied by an improvement in quality of life at weeks 16 [DLQI: 15.5 (2.9); Skindex-16: 28.2 (4.2); p-VAS: 3.8], 24 [DLQI: 8.2 (1.4); Skindex-16: 16.2 (3.6); p-VAS: 2.6] and 36 [DLQI: 3.1 (2.4); Skindex-16: 9.3 (2.8); p-VAS: 2.8]. Our study also confirmed the safety of tildrakizumab in real-life settings, with no treatment discontinuation due to inefficacy or adverse events. Conclusions Our results confirm tildrakizumab as an effective treatment option for improving the HRQoL of patients with psoriasis.