Psoriasis induced by biological therapy

Objective: To describe a multicentre case series of new onset or worsening of psoriasis in patients treated with biological drugs.

Material and methods: Descriptive study. We reviewed the clinical history of patients with chronic inflammatory disease (CID) treated with biological drugs, who developed new onset or worsening of psoriasis during the follow-up period.

Results: Twenty-six cases of paradoxical psoriasis (PP) were recorded. Ninety-three percent of the patients were treated with anti-TNFα and adalimumab was responsible for 50% of the cases. Only 5 patients had a personal history of psoriasis. The biological drug was discontinued in 13 patients. Lesion recurrence was more frequent when another anti-TNFα was reintroduced.

Conclusions: The PP is a reversible adverse effect that can be observed in patients exposed to biological drugs, mainly anti-TNFα.