Associated Skin Disease Years After Initiation of TNF Antagonists for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Skin disease is common in recipients of tumor necrosis factor antagonists.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonists, long approved for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, are also prescribed for other rheumatologic, autoinflammatory, and dermatologic conditions. Most studies used to gain drug approval are relatively short-term. Development of psoriasis-like processes began to be reported years after widespread use of TNF antagonists. Several theories attempt to explain the development of such lesions, but the exact pathogenesis is not known. Most of these adverse reactions were not noted at the time these drugs were studied for approval.

These investigators studied 917 patients receiving TNF antagonists for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) over 0.5 to 7 years. Of these patients, 264 (29%) developed skin lesion…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)