The role of TNF-α and response to TNF-α inhibitor in development of psoriatic arthritis among Iraqi psoriatic patients

Abstract

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a disease commonly appears after the onset of the characteristic cutaneous lesions of psoriasis. Synovial fluid and tissue in patients with Psoriatic arthritis demonstrates of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Aim of the study: To demonstrate the frequency of psoriatic arthritis among psoriatic patients and potential role TNF-α in this disease. Subjects and Methods: One hundred psoriatic patients treated with Etanercept were enrolled in the present study, the diagnosis of each case was established by clinical examination done by a dermatologist. Inclusion criteria: One hundred psoriatic patients treated with biological drug (Etanercept). Blood sera were used to determine the level of TNF-α by using ELISA. Results: Psoriatic arthritis composed about 17% of psoriatic patients. Patients of old age and long duration with psoriasis are at risk to development of psoriatic arthritis. Regarding the response to treatment it was revealed that the non-responder patients more frequent of psoriatic arthritis (57.1%) than responder patients (6.3%). Furthermore, TNF-α level showed a highly significant difference between responder and non-responder patients (p