Biological therapy in patients with psoriasis: What we know about the effects on renal function

Dermatol Ther. 2022 Jan;35(1):e15202. doi: 10.1111/dth.15202. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis affecting 2%-3% of the general population. The link between psoriasis and renal dysfunction has been investigated, demonstrating a common pro-inflammatory pathogenesis. This study is aimed at evaluating renal function in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis treated with biological therapy. We analyzed 92 patients, correlating PASI and serum creatinine levels at baseline, after 6 months and after 1 year of continuous treatment with biological therapy. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and the linear mixed model for PASI and serum creatinine levels correlation, whereas the analysis of variances (ANOVA) was used for creatinine levels assessment between the baseline, the 6-months and, 1-year later evaluation. We observed a significant mean decrease in comparing serum creatinine levels after 1 year of biological therapy (p < 0.001). Interestingly, PASI reduction is correlated with creatinine decrease, and the renal function improvement is greater when complete psoriasis remission is attained. Our data suggest that a drop in systemic inflammation, secondary to biological therapy administration, might improve renal function. Future research is needed to confirm and expand our findings.

Keywords: PASI; biological therapy; creatinine; psoriasis; renal function.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / therapeutic use
  • Biological Therapy
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney / physiology
  • Psoriasis* / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal