title: Adverse reactions of biological therapy for psoriasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect in patients with psoriasis the adverse effects during TNF-a inhibitor therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven patients with psoriasis, aged between 12 and 75 years were analyzed. They were treated with different TNF-α antagonists, the maximum treatment duration being 59 months. All patients were followed monthly after the initiation of therapy by clinical checkup, then every 3 months during the first 6 months of treatment by laboratory screening, and then every 6 month. Chest x-ray and tuberculin intradermal skin test were performed annually or as needed. All symptoms reported by patients were recorded, the treating doctor deciding the need for additional investigations or specialist consult.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total of 57 patients with psoriasis on biological therapy, 9 patients developed diseases requiring temporary or permanent discontinuation of therapy. The recorded adverse reactions were: infectious (pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary empyema), oncologic (rectal cancer, renal cancer), dermatologic (vesiculobullous erythema multiforme major, nodular hypodermtis, secondary erythroderma, and hives) disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its adverse reactions, biological therapy is safe and is a necessary tool in the treatment of moderate and severe forms of psoriasis unresponsive to other treatments.
authors.forename: Daciana Elena
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brănişteanu
authors.forename: Cătălina Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Voicu
authors.forename: Anca
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Creţu
authors.forename: Andreea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dimitriu
authors.forename: Mihaela Cătălina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Luca
authors.forename: Carmen Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sălăvăstru
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab