INTRODUCTION: Efficacy and safety profiles of etanercept have been proved in numerous clinical trials; however, efficacy is determined by means of PASI 75 and few studies consider the maintenance of long-term response. The aims of this study were to provide data on long-term response to etanercept monotherapy in daily practice and to propose a method to assess the efficacy based on the maintenance of low PASI and BSA.METHODS: Patients with moderate-severe psoriasis treated with etanercept 50 mg weekly, achieving at least PASI 50 at 12 weeks, were included. Response was expressed as the percentage of patients maintaining PASI and BSA ?5 and ?3, respectively.RESULTS: We included 76 patients (73.7% male and 26.3% female). PASI remained ?5 in 71.1%, 61.3%, 54.4%, 38.3%, 8.6% and 5.9% of patients and ?3 in 51.3%, 46.8%, 42.1%, 34%, 8.6% and 5.9% at 3, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 42 months.CONCLUSIONS: The maximum response is achieved between 6 and 9 months and remains stable in about 50% of cases until 18-24 months. Response maintains beyond 42 months in 6%. Maintenance of low PASI and BSA may be a most useful measure than the initial PASI reduction, which not always means enough improvement for the patient.
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