Ustekinumab in psoriasis: Five-year real life experience from a single tertiary centre

The efficacy and safety of ustekinumab have been demonstrated in randomized clinical trials; however, there are few real-life data evaluating ustekinumab. This observational, retrospective follow-up study included 33 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris. Patients were > 18 years old and received at least 16 weeks of ustekinumab. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated as PASI50, PASI75, and PASI90 response rates at 16, 28, 52, 76, and 100 weeks. Side effects associated with ustekinumab were recorded. Of 33 patients, 24 (72.7%) had received 45 mg ustekinumab and 9 (27.3%) 90 mg ustekinumab. At the 16th week of the treatment, 97% of the patients had PASI50, 57.6% had PASI75, and 33.3% had PASI90 response rates. At 16, 28, 52, 76, and 100 weeks, PASI50, 75, and 90 responses were generally higher in naive to biologics and in the 45 mg group than in nonnaive to biologics and in the 90 mg group but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, ustekinumab is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris. It seems to be more effective in naive to biologics and patients with normal weight.