Overview
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that leads to patches of scaled skin which can be inflamed, sore and itchy. It can affect any area of skin on the body, as well as nails, and can be widespread and severe. Over the past 20 years, many new treatments have been developed and approved for severe psoriasis. Most of these newer treatments are given by injection and, as a group, are known as biologics. Many people respond well to biologics and have a meaningful improvement in their condition. There is a smaller proportion of people who do not respond well, or develop side effects, and so must switch drugs to try and improve their condition. In some cases, people need multiple lines of biologic treatment. Currently very little is understood about how well people respond when they are treated with three or more biologics in a row, as very few trials have been done in these cases.
Our study aims to use data from people who have already been treated with biologics by their Dermatology teams in the NHS and use the information obtained during their normal clinic appointments to investigate this question. We will assess how well people respond to each line of biologic drug (1st to 10th). We will look at whether people respond as well or less well over time, the more biologics they have. People can be included in the research if they are 18 or over and have been treated with a biologic for psoriasis in participating hospitals in the NHS in England. In this study we are assessing data from events that have previously happened, and so no extra visits are required
Description
STEPS is a retrospective observational cohort study, which will evaluate previously obtained data that had been collected in the process of routine Dermatology appointments. NHS Dermatology centres from around the United Kingdom will be recruited as sites and will submit data on patients with psoriasis treated with biologic drugs (1st to 10th line), from looking through their previous medical notes. All data submitted will be anonymous, as no identifying information will be included in the submissions. An online survey will be developed on the online platform RedCAP to collect and store the data.
Each participant will have information submitted including demographic information like age and sex, as well as information about their psoriasis and treatments. The psoriasis scores (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index) at baseline of each line of drug, and then at the 3 and 6 month follow up appointments for each line of drug, will be submitted. These measures will be used to determine if there was an improvement in psoriasis with each line of drug, if so what level of improvement, and to compare the response in the different lines of biologic. Our hypothesis is that the response at 3 months to each line of biologic does not reduce with increasing lines of biologic after the 2nd line.
As all the information to be submitted has been previously obtained in routine clinics, no additional visits or changes to any medication or monitoring will be required for any participants.
Our sample size calculation has suggested that a minimum of 610 treatment courses (lines of biologic treatment) are needed to undertake a meaningful analysis, which equates to data on 366 patients. To account for missing data, which is inevitable with observational data, we will aim to recruit 7-8 sites, who will each submit data on 50 patients. Our aim is that data submission should be completed within 6 months of the start of the study, and that analysis will take a further 6 months.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
Diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis by a Dermatology consultant
Prior treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic treatment (1 to 10 lines) for psoriasis in the United Kingdom
Exclusion Criteria:
Diagnosis of other forms of psoriasis for example generalised pustular psoriasis