As found from a recent study in journal-Rheumatology, the use of biologics may retard radiographic progression in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) concerning bone erosion and joint space narrowing. Methotrexate seems to have no additional benefit. Earlier anti-TNF therapy does not affect the radiographic efficacy of Interleukin (IL) blockers.

The effectiveness of biologic treatment in the prevention of radiographic progression in peripheral joints of PsA individuals has been investigated in this study.

Database search included exploring MEDLINE, Web of Science, and abstracts from the last 3 EULAR and ACR meetings till December 2019. The percentage of patients without radiographic progression and mean variation in the total radiographic score at week 24 was regarded as the primary and secondary endpoints.

A total of 11 studies, with 5382 patients, 9 medicines and 18 therapies, were considered. As found, the patients on biologics were expected to achieve radiographic non-progression than with placebo and have considerably lower radiographic progression. Concomitant methotrexate therapy did not demonstrate superiority to monotherapy. Earlier anti-TNF treatment does not affect the radiographic efficacy of IL blockers.

Thus, in PsA patients, biologic agents may retard radiographic progression in terms of bone erosion and joint space narrowing compared with placebo. Concomitant MTX treatment was not able to further enhance this effect. Prior anti-TNF treatment regimen does not considerably influence the radiographic efficacy of IL blockers.