Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with etanercept, a tumour necrosis factor antagonist.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic spondylarthritis that occurs in approximately 23% of plaque psoriasis sufferers. Traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis have been used as the first therapeutic approach to treat this inflammatory disease, which has both joint and skin manifestations. However, due to the inefficiency of current disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in stopping the progression of the joint disease, biologics have emerged as a hopeful alternative to PsA therapy.

Overview on desonide 0.05%: a clinical safety profile.

Desonide (as a cream, ointment, or lotion formulation) is widely used for the treatment of steroid-responsive dermatoses. This paper provides information on its safety record, as determined from adverse event reports and published trial results. A pharmacovigilance program, initiated in 1992 for all countries where desonide is available, collected reports of adverse events associated with topical desonide over nine years.

Use and abuse of topical corticosteroids in infections of the skin and related structures.

Topical corticosteroids have improved the management of many inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, these medications are associated with certain adverse effects that are potentially serious. The potent anti-inflammatory actions of these drugs increase susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections, and therefore may preclude them from use when infection is the known cause of the disease.