The aim of this article was to assess the efficacy and safety of apremilast in treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with meta-analysis method. We included four randomized clinical trials identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, "ISRCTN Register" and "ClinicalTrials.gov" which compared apremilast with placebo. The meta-analysis was performed by the software of Review Manager, version 5.2. Apremilast was associated with significantly higher proportion of patients who achieved ACR20 at week 16 (in apremilast 20 mg subgroup, odds ratio [OR]= 2.04, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.58-2.63, P<0.00001; in apremilast 30 mg subgroup, OR=2.53, 95%Cl 1.96-3.25, P<0.00001) and significantly higher scores of Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (in apremilast 20 mg subgroup, WMD=-0.11, 95%Cl -0.16~-0.06, P<0.0001; in apremilast 30 mg subgroup, WMD=-0.16, 95%Cl -0.21~-0.11, P<0.00001). Apremilast was as safe as placebo in terms of serious adverse events (AEs). The AEs occurred in participants with apremilast were mild and well tolerated during treatment. Apremilast can be used in treatment of PsA with lower costs, oral availability and well tolerated. But the long-term benefit and safety of apremilast should be further investigated.
Keywords: Meta-analysis; apremilast; efficacy; psoriatic arthritis; safety.