Korean J Dermatol.  2022 Jun;60(5):284-290.

Safety of Adalimumab, Ustekinumab, Secukinumab, Guselkumab in Korean Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: A Real-World Data in a Single Medical Center

• Jeong SH
• Oh DY
• Park EJ
• Kim KH
• Kim KJ

Abstract

Background
The use of biologics for psoriasis treatment has increased and is now a major treatment option. Nevertheless, real-world data on the safety of biologic administration in psoriasis is insufficient, especially in Korea.
Objective
To compare the frequency of adverse events in patients treated with adalimumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, and guselkumab.
Methods
Patients treated with adalimumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, and guselkumab between March 2018 and June 2019 were enrolled in this study. Demographic data were collected at the time of enrolment. Serial interviews were conducted at 12, 36, and 52 weeks. The occurrence of adverse events and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scores were investigated at each visit.
Results
A total of 241 patients were enrolled, and 212 (88.0%) completed the study. The frequencies of adverse events did not differ significantly among the classes of biologics (p=0.597). The most common reason for dropout was loss of efficacy, followed by serious adverse events. Five cases of severe adverse events were reported; however, no class-specific tendency was observed (p＞0.999). The most common adverse event was pruritus, followed by nasopharyngitis, injection site erythema, urticaria, folliculitis, and alopecia. Guselkumab and secukinumab showed superior efficacy regarding PASI 75.
Conclusion
This study suggests that adalimumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, and guselkumab are effective and safe for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Most adverse events were relatively mild and self-limiting, and severe adverse events mostly occurred during the induction phase.

Keyword

Adalimumab; Biologics; Guselkumab; Secukinumab; Ustekinumab