Paradoxical psoriasiform reactions of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents have demonstrated efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cutaneous reactions such as new onset psoriasis or psoriasiform-like reactions are among the most common adverse reactions. We retrospectively identified cases of anti-TNF-induced psoriasis or psoriasiform manifestations in IBD patients at a tertiary centre in Australia. A total of 10 (six females) of 270 (3.7%) IBD patients treated with anti-TNF therapy developed drug-induced psoriatic or psoriasiform-like reactions: five patients were treated with infliximab and five with adalimumab; nine had Crohn disease. The time from initiation of anti-TNF agent to onset of rash was 7.5 months on average. The most frequent distributions were the scalp (7/10) and extremities (6/10). Three patients discontinued anti-TNF treatment with resolution of the rash. Topical treatment of the lesions allowed continued use of biological agent in the majority. Paradoxical psoriatic lesions are recognised adverse events associated with anti-TNF therapy, but discontinuation of therapy due to dermatological complications is required only rarely, even in patients with psoriasiform lesions.