BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory condition that is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Tofacitinib is being investigated as a treatment for psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effects of tofacitinib on CV risk factors and major adverse CV events (MACEs) in patients with plaque psoriasis.

METHODS: Changes in select CV risk factors and the incidence rate (IR) of MACEs were evaluated in patients who were treated with tofacitinib.

RESULTS: Tofacitinib treatment was associated with small, dose-dependent increases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while the total/HDL cholesterol ratio was unchanged. There were no changes in blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin levels; C-reactive protein levels decreased. The IRs of a MACE were low and similar for both tofacitinib doses. Among 3623 subjects treated with tofacitinib, the total patient-years of exposure was 5204, with a median follow-up of 527 days, and the IR of MACEs was 0.37 (95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.57) patients with events per 100 patient-years.

LIMITATIONS: There was relatively short follow-up time for patients who had MACEs.

CONCLUSIONS: While treatment with tofacitinib is associated with a small increase in cholesterol levels, the total/HDL cholesterol ratio does not change, there are no unfavorable changes in several CV risk factors, and the incidence of MACEs is low.