Introduction. Management of moderate-severe psoriasis is challenging in the presence of severe systemic comorbidities, such as HIV infection, recent history of cancer, latent tuberculosis infection, or advanced liver disease. These patients are almost invariably excluded from randomized clinical trials, an aspect that limits the availability of standardized therapeutic options. Material and methods. This narrative review summarizes the current literature on immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies in patients with psoriasis and severe systemic comorbidities, integrating existing evidence in the literature with relevant clinical observations from real-world practice. Results. Available data suggest that therapeutic decisions should be individualized according to the type of comorbidities and severity of the disease. In well-controlled HIV infection, conservative strategies may be preferred. In patients with a history of cancer, systemic therapies may be used with caution and in interdisciplinary collaboration. In latent tuberculosis infection, prophylaxis is necessary, but isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity is an important limitation. In liver disease, biological therapies may constitute a safer alternative to conventional systemic therapy. Conclusion. In this context, patients with psoriasis and severe associated systemic comorbidities require a personalized, multidisciplinary approach and close monitoring. Real-world data play an essential role in guiding therapeutic decisions in this patient population.
Metformin was a revelation in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, being widely used, with remarkable outcomes. Lately, research has greatly expanded the indications of metformin treatment, which can be used not only in diabetes but also in many other conditions. Although still debatable, several studies have shown the beneficial effects of metformin treatment in patients with psoriasis. This article is a review of the latest data of scientific literature about the effects of metformin administration in patients with diabetes and psoriasis, but also in nondiabetic patients with psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, with multisystemic implications and genetic predisposition, characterized by the development of erythematous, scaling plaques on the skin. Management of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris may involve a biological treatment that suppresses the immune system. Because of this, the patients with psoriasis on an immunosuppressive treatment are theoretically at an increased risk of infections, including SARS-CoV- 2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is responsible for the current pandemic. In Romania, COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19) was first reported on February 26, 2020, by confirming the first patient with SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR method. COVID-19 progression was divided into three phases: early infection, pulmonary phase, and hyperinflammatory phase. Although the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines by biologic therapy is detrimental in the viral phase, it seems to be beneficial in the hyperinflammatory phase, by protecting the patients with psoriasis in progressing towards extra-pulmonary manifestations and death. Analyzing the evolution of the 8 cases of patients from our dermatology department – Colentina Clinical Hospital, with generalized psoriasis vulgaris on biologic immunosuppressive treatment and SARS-CoV-2 infection, we observed that they did not develop a more severe form of COVID-19 than the general population. Patients on biologic immunosuppressive treatment are more susceptible to the development of infections, including by SARS-CoV-2, but it was found that the biologic therapy can protect against a more severe type of COVID-19.
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that significantly affects a patient’s quality of life. Several systemic complications can influence disease progression and response to treatment. Biological therapy is considered the most effective therapeutic option in treating moderate to severe forms of psoriasis. The success of therapy may depend on its persistence, also known as drug survival. The dermatologist needs to be aware of comorbidities and factors that influence the persistence or discontinuation of biological treatment to make appropriate treatment decisions. We have identified several studies on the persistence of biologic therapy or drug survival in patients with psoriasis and summarized some of the most important issues known to date. In several recently published studies, the survival of ustekinumab is better than TNF‐α inhibitors but lower than ixekizumab. Notably, the studies were performed on a limited number of patients and follow-up time. Moreover, secukinumab appears to have a shorter drug survival than other biological agents, especially in patients with biological experience. A real indicator of therapeutic success could be a high quality of life. Female gender and obesity have been consistently highlighted among the predictors of treatment discontinuation, while psoriatic arthritis could be a predictor of persistence and maintenance of biological therapy. We are currently aiming to improve the therapy for patients treated with biological agents to reduce the pressure on the national public health system.
More than 75 years after its accidental discovery, methotrexate remains an important treatment option for many diseases. Whether it is various hematological and non-hematological neoplasms, rheumatological, dermatological, or other conditions, methotrexate remains in scope. For rheumatoid arthritis, current clinical guidelines (EULAR, ACR) recommend methotrexate as the first therapeutic option. This article aims to highlight important moments in the history of this remarkable drug, to review the literature on its mechanisms of action and the arguments for which after more than half a century, methotrexate remains the gold standard in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but also an important option for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive treatment may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of cancer in psoriasis patients. We wanted to evaluate the Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear) results of female patients with psoriasis which were performed for cervical cancer screening before the initiation of biological agent treatment. Between April 2019 and November 2021, Pap smear results of female patients with psoriasis were reviewed retrospectively. This study included 70 female psoriasis patients with a mean age of 48.41±11.62 years. 49 (70%) patients were biologically naive, whereas 21 (30%) patients previously received biological agents. Obscuring inflammation was reported in 33 (47.1%) patients. Atrophy, intermediate cell predominance, reactive cellular changes due to inflammation, and both atrophy and reactive cellular changes were detected in 15 (21.4%), 7 (10%), 3 (4.3%) patients, and 1 (1.4%) patient, respectively. No malignancy or intraepithelial lesion was observed in 69 (98.6%) patients, whereas atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance were reported in 1 (1.4%) patient. Infections such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and actinomycosis were detected in 13 (18.6%) patients. Pap smear tests should be performed in female psoriasis patients to detect premalignant lesions of the cervix before the initiation of biological agent treatment. Moreover, psoriasis treatment guidelines should be updated accordingly.
COVID-19 has not been adequately investigated in patients with psoriasis. We wanted to evaluate the effect of COVID- 19 and COVID-19 vaccines on disease course in patients with psoriasis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were admitted for the treatment of psoriasis between March 2020 and May 2022. Afterward, patients were contacted by telephone call to collect data on COVID-19. This study included 257 patients, 118 females, and 139 males. 238 (92.6%) patients were vaccinated against COVID-19. The mean age of the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients was 49.23±14.60 and 40.37±11.66 years, respectively (p=0.010). Exacerbation of psoriasis after COVID-19 vaccination was detected in 32 (13.4%) patients. 114 (44.4%) patients had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 18.4% of them stated exacerbation of psoriasis after COVID-19. No association was detected between COVID-19 and having an accompanying disease and psoriasis treatment (p=0.843, p=0.845, respectively). Hospitalization was required in 12 (10.5%) patients. Unvaccinated patients with psoriasis were significantly younger than those who were vaccinated. Exacerbation of psoriasis was reported in 13.4% of vaccinated patients and in 18.4% of patients after COVID-19. Nevertheless, accompanying disease and conventional or biological agent treatment were associated neither with COVID-19 nor COVID-19-related hospitalization.
Psoriasis has been associated with metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We wanted to investigate the abdominal ultrasonography results of psoriasis patients before biological agent treatment. Between April 2019 and February 2022, abdominal ultrasonography results of psoriasis patients which were performed before biological agent treatment were reviewed retrospectively. This study included 90 patients, 45 females, and 45 males with a mean age of 48.91±13.43 years. The most common ultrasonography finding was increased echogenicity of the liver parenchyma due to steatosis (58.9%) which was followed by an increase in liver size (25.6%), kidney cysts (17.8%), gallstones (8.9%) and increase in spleen size (7.8%). Hepatic steatosis was more frequent in older patients (p<0.001), patients with diabetes (p=0.007), and patients who were previously treated with biological agents (p=0.007). 70.4% of the patients with moderate or severe hepatic steatosis were female. Herein, hepatic steatosis was detected in 53 (58.9%) patients. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease which presents as hepatic steatosis in early stages has an asymptomatic course and poor prognosis in psoriasis patients. We suggest that abdominal ultrasonography should be performed in psoriasis patients before biological agent treatment, especially in females, patients with advanced age, patients who were previously treated with biological agents, and patients with diabetes.
Psoriasis is a chronic and complex disease that consists of characteristic cutaneous lesions and is frequently accompanied by systemic comorbidities caused by the chronic inflammatory state. The most common such comorbidities are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, inflammatory bowel diseases, depression, anxiety, neoplasia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to simultaneously treat both psoriasis and the associated conditions with the best therapies available to improve patients’ life quality. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of biological therapies on both psoriasis and its comorbidities and also to highlight other future options.
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated skin disease affecting 1-3% of the adult population. It mainly involves the skin, nails, and joints. However, psoriasis can be associated with several comorbidities, including ocular complications. The most frequently reported pathologies are dry eyes syndrome, blepharitis, and uveitis. Being a systemic inflammatory disease, psoriasis also has the potential to directly affect the retina. It has been reported that ocular manifestations tend to appear much later than skin and joint involvement. Eye complications begin insidiously, and progress asymptomatically. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of life and even permanently compromised visual function if not treated properly. Thus, the present review aimed to present current pathological explanations between psoriasis and ocular manifestation, and to evaluate the prevalence of ocular changes in patients with psoriasis, in order to be diagnosed and managed appropriately.
