Biological drug use in patients with psoriasis: Our clinical experiences

Abstract

Objective: Biological drugs are used mainly in psoriasis in dermatology, but are increasingly used in the treatment of many other inflammatory dermatoses. They are preferred as a treatment option especially in patients with psoriasis who do not respond to conventional therapies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the features and treatment outcomes of patients with psoriasis in our clinic using biological agents. Material and Methods: Between June 2014 and February 2018, 87 patients with psoriasis using biological drugs in the dermatology clinic were evaluated. The demographic data, laboratory data and clinical information of the patients were obtained retrospectively by screening patient files. Results: 82.8% (n=72) of patients with psoriasis used biological drugs for the first time, whereas 17.2% (n=15) used more than one biological drug. The drug with the highest duration of drug survival was adalimumab. The most preferred biologics in the treatment of obese patients with psoriasis were infliximab and ustekinumab, whereas adalimumab and ustekinumab were the most preferred biologics for patients with arthritis. In 20.7% (n=18) of the cases, the biological drug was combined with methotrexate and 70.1% (n=61) received isoniazid prophylaxis before treatment. Conclusion: Biological drugs have become a well-tolerated and effective treatment option in patients when conventional treatments are inadequate. Although the main goal of biological drugs was to achieve clinical remission, they did not show the same effect in every patient. Approximately one in five patients with psoriasis has switched to another biological drug due to treatment failure or side effects.