Publication

Paradoxical ulcerative colitis during adalimumab treatment of psoriasis resolved by switch to ustekinumab

Journal Paper/Review - May 6, 2017

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Kolios A, Biedermann L, Weber A, Navarini A, Meier J, Cozzio A, French L. Paradoxical ulcerative colitis during adalimumab treatment of psoriasis resolved by switch to ustekinumab. Br J Dermatol 2017
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Br J Dermatol 2017
Publication Date
May 6, 2017
Issn Electronic
1365-2133
Brief description/objective

Here we report the case of a patient with psoriasis who developed ulcerative colitis most likely caused by adalimumab. After cessation of adalimumab, colitis improved significantly. However, as psoriasis worsened, the patient was switched to ustekinumab, which resulted in complete cessation of colitis. During the 2-year follow-up under ustekinumab therapy, no further gastrointestinal complaints occurred. Paradoxical psoriasis manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) under tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitor therapy have been reported and paradoxical IBD occurred rarely (mostly Crohn disease) in patients with rheumatological conditions treated with infliximab or etanercept. Due to the highly probable association of adalimumab with the onset of colitis in this case, we would like to suggest the term 'paradoxical ulcerative colitis' (PUC) for this as yet extremely rarely reported phenomenon. To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of PUC in a patient with psoriasis and in adalimumab treatment. Our observation suggests that ustekinumab is an effective treatment option in patients with paradoxical anti-TNF-driven inflammatory reactions like psoriasis or IBD.