Association Between Ixekizumab and Quality of Life: Three Randomized Trials

A new study published in Quality of Life Research indicated improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients taking ixekizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Outcomes were reported for adults with plaque psoriasis who were enrolled in phase III, double-blind, randomized controlled trials: UNCOVER-1, UNCOVER-2, or UNCOVER-3. The protocols in all three studies consisted of a 12-week, placebo-controlled induction period. In UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3, an active-control group was also included during induction and received 50 mg etanercept. At the end of the induction period, patients enrolled in UNCOVER-1 and UNCOVER-2 moved on to a 48-week withdrawal period. During the withdrawal period, Static Physicians Global Assessment (sPGA) 0/1 responders went under randomization again to either placebo or 80 mg ixekizumab every four or 12 weeks. At baseline and weeks 12 and 60, patients were assessed by the generic Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) to evaluate HRQoL. The researchers further compared mean SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS and MSC) and domain scores and proportions of patients reporting improvements equal to or exceeding minimal important differences in SF-36 scores among the groups.

After 12 weeks, patients in both ixekizumab dose groups, compared to placebo, presented significantly greater mean SF-36 PCS and MCS improvements, as well as improvements in all eight SF-36 domain scores, in UNCOVER-1, UNCOVER-2, and UNCOVER-3. More of the ixekizumab patients than placebo patients achieved at least minimal treatment responses in SF-36 PCS and MCS scores and domain scores; SF-36 PCS and MCS scores improvements continued through week 60.