Real-life data over 36 weeks of guselkumab treatment in psoriasis patients: A single-center study from Turkey

Background: Psoriasis is an important health problem responsible for morbidity and workforce loss. In recent years, anti-IL-23 drugs have become essential in psoriasis treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of guselkumab therapy, recently used in Turkey, by examining real-life data over 36 weeks. Methods: A total of 39 psoriasis patients (>18 years old) who received guselkumab treatment between December 2021 and December 2022 in the dermatology department of our hospital were included in the study. Patients" ages, sexes, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, duration of illness, drugs used before guselkumab treatment, clinical response to guselkumab treatment, and side effects, if any, were recorded. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores at baseline and Weeks 4, 12, 24, and 36 were evaluated, as well as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The PASI scores at Weeks 4, 12, 24, and 36 and the DLQI at Week 36 decreased statistically compared with baseline (p < 0.05). The PASI score at baseline and Weeks 4, 24, and 36 did not differ between groups based on IL-17 use (p > 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between BMI, disease duration, and PASI scores at baseline and Weeks 4, 12, 24, and 36. No side effects were observed in any of the patients during treatment. Conclusion: This study includes real-life data on the use of guselkumab therapy for psoriasis in the Turkish population. Based on the results, guselkumab is a highly effective and safe treatment.