Effect of Ixekizumab Treatment on Work Productivity for Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis Analysis of Results From 3 Randomized Phase 3 Clinical Trials

IMPORTANCE Therapies that reduce psoriasis symptoms may improve work productivity. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of ixekizumab therapy on work productivity, measured by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Psoriasis (WPAI-PSO). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Three multicenter, randomized double-blind phase 3 trials conducted during the following periods: December 2011 through August 2014 (UNCOVER-1), May 2012 through April 2015 (UNCOVER-2), and August 2012 through July 2014 (UNCOVER-3). Adult outpatients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis were included. INTERVENTIONS In UNCOVER-1, patients were randomized 1: 1: 1 to subcutaneous placebo or 80 mg ixekizumab every 2 weeks (Q2W) or every 4 weeks (Q4W) for 12 weeks; UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 also had an etanercept arm (50mg twice weekly). Maintenance of initial ixekizumab response was evaluated in UNCOVER-1 and UNCOVER-2 during a randomized withdrawal period following week 12 through week 60. The WPAI-PSO questionnaire was administered at baseline and week 12 for all patients and at weeks 24, 36, 52, and 60 for patients in UNCOVER-1 and UNCOVER-2. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Change in work productivity from baseline as measured by WPAI-PSO scores. RESULTS Across trials, 5101 patients consented; 3866 were randomized (mean [SD] age, UNCOVER-1, 45.7 [12.9] y, 68.1% male; UNCOVER-2: 45.0 [13.0] y, 67.1% male; UNCOVER-3: 45.8 [13.1] y, 68.2% male). At week 12 in UNCOVER-1, the ixekizumab Q4W and ixekizumab Q2W groups showed significantly greater improvements in WPAI-PSO scores (least squares mean change from baseline [SE]) relative to placebo: absenteeism (-3.5 [0.87], P<.001; -2.6 [0.84], P=.003, respectively, vs 0.2 [0.88]), presenteeism (-18.8 [1.28], P <.001; -18.3 [1.24], P <.001, vs 0.5 [1.30]), work productivity loss (-20.6 [1.38], P <.001; -19.8 [1.33], P <.001, vs -0.8 [1.40]), and activity impairment (-24.5 [1.18], P <.001; -25.2 [1.15], P <.001, vs 0.8 [1.18]). Similar results were obtained for UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3, with the exception of absenteeism with ixekizumab Q4W in UNCOVER-2. Additionally, ixekizumab-treated patients showed significantly greater improvements in WPAI-PSO scores vs etanercept-treated patients: UNCOVER-2: presenteeism, work productivity loss, activity impairment (P <.001 both doses), UNCOVER-3: activity impairment (ie, regular activities outside of work) (ixekizumab Q2W; P =.009). Improvements in WPAI-PSO scores at week 12 were sustained to at least week 60. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Ixekizumab-treated patients reported short-and long-term improvements in work productivity, which could lead to reduced productivity-related cost burden in patients with psoriasis.