Treating Concurrent Psoriasis and IBD: Which Options Are Best?

The biologics infliximab and adalimumab are safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn disease (CD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a recent study found.

For their study, the researchers first performed a systematic literature search and identified 2282 articles that had studied biologic and systemic psoriasis medications in psoriasis, PsA, UC, and CD between January 1, 1947 and February 14, 2017. Of these articles, 132 were included in the present analysis.
_____________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
HS vs Psoriasis: Which Has the Greater Impact on QoL?
FDA Expands Psoriasis Drug's Indication
_____________________________________________________________________________

Findings showed that infliximab and adalimumab were safe and effective for the treatment of psoriasis, PsA, UC, and CD. However, none of the other treatments assessed could be used for the treatment of all 4 of these conditions. Ustekinumab could be used to treat psoriasis, PsA, and CD, while certolizumab could only be used to treat PsA and CD.

Guselkumab was also found to effectively treat psoriasis. The researchers noted that, although psoriasis and PsA can be successfully treated with etanercept, secukinumab, brodalumab, and ixekizumab, they may worsen or induce IBD.

“Infliximab and adalimumab have demonstrated efficacy in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease; other agents have demonstrated efficacy for some, but not all, of these indications,” the researchers concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Whitlock SM, Enos CW, Armstrong AW, et al. Management of psoriasis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2):383-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.06.043.