Biologic Therapies Safe Options for Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis or Psoriatic Arthritis

According to a study published in ARP Rheumatology, biologic therapies are a promising treatment option for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at risk for cardiovascular (CV) events.

Researchers aimed to determine the effects of biological therapies on serious CV events in AS and PsA in a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials (of biologic therapies for the treatment of AS and/or PsA. The screening for the study was carried out using PubMed and Scopus databases from the database inception to July 17, 2021. The search strategy was based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes framework. The primary outcome was the number of serious CV events reported during the placebo-controlled phase.

A total of 4422 articles were generated from the search and 13 of these were retained for analysis. A total of 3 were in AS and 10 in PsA. The evidence gathered in the review suggests that biologic treatments are safe options for CV risk in patients with AS or PsA.

“Further and more extensive trials in AS/PsA patients at high risk of CV events are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Magiouf KS, Fragiadaki K, Charpidou A, Syrigos A, Kotteas E, Kourlaba G. Impact of biologic therapies on risk of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis: a systematic literature review. ARP Rheumatol. Published online February 21, 2023.