Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is chronic inflammatory arthritis, linked to skin and/or nail psoriasis. There is lack of data evaluating the efficacy and safety of TNF-α blockers in the older patients with PsA. Costa L and colleagues carried out the study with an aim to investigate the efficacy of TNF-α blockers by attaining minimal disease activity (MDA), drug discontinuation rate, and safety in older patients with PsA. 

Four Italian centers were chosen to carry out this multicenter observational study. Disease activity and safety assessment were done at baseline (T0), 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12). The study included

a total of 145 PsA patients. Out of these 145, 68 patients were on etanercept, 60 on adalimumab, 11 on golimumab and 6 on infliximab. A statistically significant improvement was noted in all the variables concerning PsA activity at 6 and 12 months as compared to baseline. 31 (22.6%) and 71 (51.8%) patients attained MDA after 6 and 12 months of therapy. The drug discontinuation rate was found to be 5.5% with a mean of 6.8 months. Mild infections were reported in nine patients (6.2%) and were treated with antimicrobial specific oral regimen without therapy interruption.

Overall results of the study showed that TNF-α blockers are useful for attaining a low disease status and are also safe in older patients with PsA. Hence, age should not be recognized as a constraint to their use.