Factors Predicting Guselkumab Treatment Response in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Post Hoc Analysis of Korean Real-World Data

TL;DR

This study identifies baseline factors that predict a strong response to guselkumab treatment in Korean patients with severe plaque psoriasis.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into baseline predictors of guselkumab treatment response in a real-world Korean psoriasis population.

Findings

Absence of family history of psoriasis and higher PASI scores predict better guselkumab response.

Prior phototherapy and reduced topical agent use are associated with higher PASI 90 response rates.

PASI 90 responders showed significantly better quality of life outcomes compared to non-responders.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to identify the baseline characteristics predictive of Psoriasis Area and Sensitivity Index (PASI) 90 response to guselkumab and assess treatment effectiveness outcomes for PASI 90 responders and PASI 90 non-responders. Methods: This post hoc analysis used data from a prospective, multicenter, observational study of guselkumab in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis conducted between February 2019 and March 2022. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify baseline characteristics predictive of PASI 90 response. Results: Of 339 patients, 245 (72.3%) week-28 PASI 90 responders and 94 (27.7%) non-responders were identified. Baseline characteristics significantly predictive of PASI 90 response in multivariate logistic regression were absence of family history of psoriasis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.35; p = 0.0266), higher PASI score (OR: 1.22; p = 0.0006), higher body surface area of psoriasis involvement (OR: 0.95; p = 0.0127), prior phototherapy use (OR: 2.44; p = 0.0108), and reduced concomitant topical agent use (OR: 0.41; p = 0.0044). More PASI 90 responders versus non-responders achieved absolute PASI score ≤ 2 by week 44 (95.8% vs. 67.5%) and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores of 0 or 1 by week 28 (72.2% vs. 34.0%). Conclusions: Guselkumab PASI 90 responders had unique baseline characteristics that may predict positive treatment outcomes.

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