Impact of Ustekinumab on Quality of Life and Sexual Difficulties Associated with Psoriasis: Results from Phase III Clinical Trials

In a study examining the impact of ustekinumab on quality of life and sexual difficulties in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, 1996 patients were enrolled in the PHOENIX I and II trials. They were randomized to receive either ustekinumab (45 or 90 mg; 1334 patients) or placebo (662 patients), with the placebo group crossing over to ustekinumab at week 12. The study found that at baseline, 22.6% of patients reported impaired sexual function, which was significantly associated with psoriasis severity. By week 12, those treated with ustekinumab showed a significant improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and a decrease in impaired sexual function from 22.4% to 2.7%, compared to no change in the placebo group. The improvement in sexual function correlated with the improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. The study concluded that ustekinumab significantly improved sexual function and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.