Adalimumab‐induced scalp psoriasis with severe alopecia

Adalimumab-Induced Erythrodermic Psoriasis Associated with Alopecia in a Patient with Palmoplantar Pustulosis

In recent years, with the increased usage of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, more side effects have been revealed. Paradoxical psoriasis, including psoriasis vulgaris, palmoplantar pustulosis, scalp psoriasis and their combinations, is a common adverse effect. However, erythrodermic psoriasis associated with alopecia due to anti-TNF-α is rarely reported in the literature. We report a 44-year-old woman who developed erythrodermic psoriasis associated with diffuse alopecia during her treatment with adalimumab for palmoplantar pustulosis.

Medication-induced hair loss: An update

This article discusses drug-induced hair loss, which can occur with many drugs including cytotoxic agents, biologics, and immunomodulating agents, among others. It outlines the diagnosis and management of drug-induced alopecia, with a focus on recently implicated drugs.

Scarring Alopecia in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonists-Induced Scalp Psoriasis

Background

A broad spectrum of adverse reactions associated with the use of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) antagonists has been recognized over the past years. Induction of scalp psoriasis is a less known undesirable consequence of the use of these drugs and is not well characterized.

Objective

To characterize TNFα inhibitors-induced psoriatic alopecia.

Methods

We studied 6 patients with TNF-inhibitor induced psoriatic alopecia and reviewed 28 patients with this condition reported in the literature to date.

Results

In addition to severe scalp psoriasis, we report hair follicle pathologies ranging from alopecia areata to scarring alopecia. Prognosis was good, but discontinuation of TNFα inhibitors was required in more than half of the cases in order to achieve a favourable outcome.

Conclusion

TNFα inhibitors-associated psoriatic alopecia is rarely reported but requires a high index of suspicion and prompt diagnosis, as timely intervention may prevent irreversible damage.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Trichoscopy in Inflammatory Scalp Diseases: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The common inflammatory scalp diseases, such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planopilaris, discoid lupus erythematosus, contact dermatitis, or pemphigus may share similar clinical features.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and systematically review the available evidence on the accuracy of trichoscopy in inflammatory scalp disorders.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 58 articles were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The following trichoscopy features were found to show the highest specificity for the respective diseases: in psoriasis: diffuse scaling, simple and twisted red loops, red dots and globules, and glomerular vessels; in seborrheic dermatitis: atypical vessels, thin arborizing vessels, and structureless red areas; in discoid lupus erythematosus: follicular plugs and erythema encircling follicles; in lichen planopilaris: milky red areas or fibrotic patches; in contact dermatitis: twisted red loops; in pemphigus foliaceus: white polygonal structures and serpentine vessels; in pemphigus vulgaris: red dots with whitish halo and lace-like vessels; and in dermatomyositis: lake-like vascular structures.

LIMITATIONS

Different nomenclature and variability in parameters, which were analyzed in different studies.

CONCLUSION

This systemic analysis indicates that trichoscopy may be used with high accuracy in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory scalp diseases.

Metabolic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological issues of biologic therapies currently used in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

INTRODUCTION

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, relapsing, debilitating inflammatory dermatologic disease of the terminal hair follicles at intertriginous sites clinically characterized by painful inflammatory nodules, abscesses, draining sinus tracts, and dermal fibrosis. The management of hidradenitis suppurativa is a challenge and usually consists of both medical and surgical approaches, which must often be combined for best outcome. The introduction of biological therapies, specifically TNFα-inhibitors such as adalimumab, has profoundly changed the therapeutic armamentarium of the disease.

AREAS COVERED

The PubMed database was searched using combinations of the following keywords: hidradentis suppurativa, biologic therapy, TNF-α inhibitors, adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, adverse effects, pharmacodynamics, pharmacology, adverse events, pharmacokinetics, drug interaction. This article reviews and updates the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, adverse effects, drug interactions of on-label and off-label use of TNF-α inhibitors in HS.

EXPERT OPINION

Biologic agents, particularly adalimumab, exhibit clinical efficacy in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Careful patient selection and close monitoring during treatment are mandatory to provide safe and effective use of the TNF-α inhibitor. Familiarity with biologic agents is crucial because these agents could become a consolidated treatment option in the clinician's therapeutic approaches.