Ustekinumab Significantly Improves Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Skin-related Quality of Life in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Psoriasis: Results from a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase III Trial

Background: Anxiety, depression, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are common in patients with psoriasis.

Objective: We sought to analyze the effect of ustekinumab on these conditions in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods: Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis (n = 1230) were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 45 mg of ustekinumab, 90 mg of ustekinumab, or placebo. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety and depression, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index to measure HRQoL.

Results: At baseline, 40.3% and 26.7% of patients reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively, and 54.6% reported Dermatology Life Quality Index scores greater than 10, indicating a very high impact of disease on HRQoL. Greater improvements at week 12 in mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (13.9%), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (29.3%), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (76.2%) scores were reported in ustekinumab groups compared with placebo (P < .001 each).

Limitations: Results for these measures are reported only through 24 weeks.

Conclusion: Patients receiving ustekinumab reported significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and HRQoL.