Glomerular filtration rate in patients with psoriasis treated with etanercept

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and evaluate renal function in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis treated with etanercept (an anti-tumour necrosis factor-α drug). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Kidney function was evaluated using estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR). RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD at baseline was 3.9% (two of 51 patients). EGFR was unaffected by etanercept therapy (83.6 ± 23.9 at baseline vs 82.2 ± 21.6 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) after 6 months). CONCLUSION: EGFR was unaffected by 6 months’ etanercept treatment. Physicians should be aware of the risk of CKD when providing comprehensive care to patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.