A large real-world study using data from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR) has found that newer biologic treatments for psoriasis do not increase the risk of serious infections compared to older systemic therapies like methotrexate. The study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, analyzed data from over 16,000 patients with psoriasis who were starting a new systemic treatment between 2007 and 2020.
The researchers compared the risk of serious infections—defined as infections requiring hospitalization or intravenous antibiotics—among patients receiving biologic therapies (such as adalimumab, ustekinumab, and secukinumab) and those receiving conventional systemic treatments like methotrexate and acitretin. After adjusting for patient characteristics, the study found no statistically significant difference in the risk of serious infections between the biologic and conventional treatment groups.
Specifically, the incidence rate of serious infections was 1.8 per 100 person-years for patients on biologics and 1.9 per 100 person-years for those on conventional therapies. The most common serious infections were skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The study provides reassurance for patients and clinicians considering biologic therapies for moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
Dr. Zenas Yiu, the lead author from the University of Manchester, stated: 'Our findings suggest that the risk of serious infections with biologic therapies is comparable to that of conventional systemic therapies in routine clinical practice.' The study was funded by the British Association of Dermatologists and the Psoriasis Association.
