Efficacy and safety of Infliximab in psoriatic patients over the age of 65

BACKGROUND: clinical data on the long-term safety and efficacy of infliximab on psoriatic patients who are older than 65 years are limited. OBJECTIVES: the aim is to report the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerance of infliximab in geriatric patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Clinical data were reported at week 12, 52, 104, 208. RESULTS: 151 charts were evaluated. A total of 27 patients were included. Range of the age was between 65 and 85 years; mean age was 73 years ±5.4; female to male ratio was 1:2; mean age of onset of psoriasis was 43 years±17. The average of treatment duration was 39 months ±27 (range 1-100). Fourteen patients suffered from plaque type psoriasis and 13 from psoriatic arthritis. At the baseline the mean PASI score was 15.6 ± 10.2. At week 12, 52, 104, and 208 the mean PASI was 2, 2.3, 1.9 and 1.8 respectively. A reduction in the mean PASI was maintained in the long-term treatment in 12 patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that long-term treatment with infliximab is effective and safe in patients over 65 years old and that IV therapy is also associated with a high compliance.