One of our recent papers was highlighted by
the media.
Prevalence and
incidence rates of psoriatic arthritis increased significantly in Taiwan from
2000 to 2013, while psoriasis exhibited no substantial change in incidence,
according to findings published in the Journal of Rheumatology.
The researchers also
noted changes in medication patterns during this period, with an increase in
the use of biologics and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and decreased
use of topical therapies.
“Psoriasis disease
can be divided into two parts, the psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and other
psoriasis (PsO),” James Cheng-Chung Wei, MD, PhD, of the Chung Shan Medical
University Hospital, in Taichung, Taiwan, told Healio Rheumatology. “However,
the prevalence and incidence in Asia were
unrecognized. Our study is the first population-based, national wide survey to
disclose the prevalence and incidence of PsA and PsO in Taiwan from
2000 to 2013.”
To examine and
describe the rates of PsA and psoriasis, as well as changes in prescribing
practices, in Taiwan,
the researchers collected information from the Taiwan National Health Insurance
Research Database, which covered at least 95% of the population from 2003 to
2013. For the purposes of their study, the researchers focused on patients aged
16 years and older.
The researchers used
the ICD-9 to identify PsA and other psoriasis conditions, and they analyzed
treatments through the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification Code.
Additionally, they used the Poisson regression to test trends by Wald
chi-square statistic.
According to the
researchers, the prevalence of PsA between 2000 and 2013 increased from 11.12
per 100,000 population to 37.75, and from 179.2 to 281.5 for psoriasis.
Meanwhile, the incidence of PsA increased from 3.64 to 6.91 per 100,000
person-years, with no significant change in the psoriasis rate. Moreover, the
ratio of men-to-women with PsA decreased from 2
in 2000 to 1.5 in
2013. During that same time, the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
and biologics increased, while treatments with topical therapies decreased.
“Our study may raise
the awareness of PsA, and may contribute to early diagnosis and better
treatment for patients,” Wei said. “On the other hand, our study recommends the
reimbursement in the Taiwan National Health Insurance program should cover more
medications, such as biologics and [disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs],
since biologics are increasingly become the essential aspect in treating PsA
and PsO.” – by Jason Laday
Disclosure: The
researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
