INTRODUCTION
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease prevalent in approximately 3% of adults in the United States.1 It is characterized by marked inflammation and increased epidermal thickness resulting from infiltration of the skin with activated T cells and abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. Moderate to severe psoriasis is associated with a number of comorbidities including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, depression, and anxiety.2 Patients may also develop mental health conditions2 and have reduced quality of life.3
Among biologic agents, tildrakizumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to interleukin-23 (IL-23) and inhibits its receptor interaction.6,7 Randomized controlled trials showed that tildrakizumab monotherapy was efficacious compared with placebo for psoriasis treatment and well tolerated in patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.8-13
In the present, real-world study, topical halcinonide 0.1% ointment - a highly potent corticosteroid for relieving
No cure is currently available for psoriasis and treatments focus on controlling symptoms. Therapeutic options include topical therapy for limited psoriasis, and phototherapy, systemic medications, and biologic agents for extensive psoriasis.4 For plaque psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation suggests an acceptable treatment response of less than or equal to 3% affected body surface area (BSA) and a target response of BSA less than or equal to 1% after treatment for 3 months.5
Among biologic agents, tildrakizumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to interleukin-23 (IL-23) and inhibits its receptor interaction.6,7 Randomized controlled trials showed that tildrakizumab monotherapy was efficacious compared with placebo for psoriasis treatment and well tolerated in patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.8-13
For patients lacking an adequate response to biologics alone, combinations of biologic therapy with other psoriasis treatments can be used for improvement.14-18 For example, topical medications have been shown to augment clinical responses without causing additional adverse effects when applied with biologics.17,18 A phase 3b, randomized trial showed that significantly more patients with moderate to severe psoriasis attained an adequate response after treatment with etanercept plus topical clobetasol propionate foam vs etanercept monotherapy for 12 weeks.19 Another randomized, controlled study found faster clearance of psoriasis lesions with a combination of adalimumab plus topical calcipotriol/betamethasone compared with adalimumab alone.20 Safety outcomes were not affected by addition of topical medications in these studies.19, 20
In the present, real-world study, topical halcinonide 0.1% ointment - a highly potent corticosteroid for relieving