Expert recommendations for the use of apremilast in psoriatic arthritis

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Despite the evidence, there are doubts about the positioning of apremilast in the psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment algorithm. The objective of this project was to collect the scientific evidence and the experience of a group of rheumatologists who are experts in the management of PsA with apremilast in clinical practice in Spain.

Material and methods: A scientific committee made up of 6 experts proposed 5 clinical scenarios where the evidence on the use of apremilast in PsA was controversial: (i) Efficacy in peripheral PsA; (ii) Efficacy in enthesitis and dactylitis; (iii) Efficacy in PsA with skin involvement; (iv) Comorbidities; and (v) Apremilast safety. After this, a panel of 17 rheumatologists with expertise in PsA management discussed these scenarios and generated a questionnaire with 50 questions and 156 items following the Delphi methodology. This questionnaire was anonymously answered by the panel.

Results: After 2 voting rounds, the panel of experts reached consensus in 93 of the 156 items raised (59.6%) (67 in agreement and 26 in disagreement). The degree of consensus was 53.3% in the area of "Efficacy in peripheral PsA"; 60.0% in "Efficacy in enthesitis and dactylitis"; 50.0% in "Efficacy in PsA with skin involvement"; 57.1% in "Management of comorbidities in patients with PsA"; and 67.3% in "Implications of safety in the use of apremilast".

Conclusions: The structured opinion of the experts complements the available evidence and contributes to the establishment of consensual guidelines for the use of apremilast in PsA.

Keywords: Apremilast; Artritis psoriásica; Delphi method; Método Delphi; Práctica clínica habitual; Psoriasic arthritis; Routine clinical practice.