Ustekinumab treatment is associated with decreased systemic and vascular inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: Feasibility study using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that psoriasis might be associated with metabolic syndrome and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. To determine whether ustekinumab reduces systemic and vascular inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, measured using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT). Patients with psoriasis and healthy controls underwent baseline ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were treated with ustekinumab and underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT again after a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of 75 was achieved. After a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of 75 was achieved with ustekinumab treatment, standardized uptake values were reduced in the liver, spleen, and 5 parts of the aorta (P < .05). Our study does not provide outcome data concerning cardiovascular events or metabolic syndrome; it only shows surrogate markers in a limited (Korean) population. Ustekinumab treatment was significantly associated with decreased systemic and vascular inflammation related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease among patients with psoriasis.