Munoz-Santos C, Sola-Ortigosa J, Vidal D, et al. - In patients with psoriasis and predominant nail disease, apremilast therapy for 52 weeks demonstrates significant improvements in nail-specific quality of life, clinical signs, and structural restoration in the US, implying that apremilast may be considered in the treatment of nail psoriasis.

• Researchers performed a prospective cohort study including adult patients with plaque and nail psoriasis with a fingernail Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) score of 12 or more. They treated patients with apremilast 30 mg b.i.d. for 52 weeks.

• The study enrolled a total of 45 patients.

• It was shown that the Nail Assessment in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (NAPPA) Patient Benefit Index global weighted score was 2 or more in 52% of patients and NAPPA Quality of Life and fingernail NAPSI improved by 57% and 53%, respectively at week 52. US parameters improved from week 16 onwards.

• It has been reported that target nail NAPSI improvements were higher for nail matrix scores (60%) than for nail bed scores (38%, p < 0.001).

• It was shown that the baseline target nail bed NAPSI was correlated with not achieving a target nail 50% reduction in NAPSI score at week 52 in the bivariate analysis (p = 0.024). With the known apremilast profile, safety was consistent.