Z Gastroenterol 2021; 59(08): e330-e331
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1734238
POSTER
CED

Impact of skin examination prior to initiation of treatment with biologics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients: preliminary data

H Maier
1   Medical University of Vienna/Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
,
C Hartl
1   Medical University of Vienna/Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
,
C Primas
2   Medical University of Vienna/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vienna, Austria
,
K Sonneck
3   Klinik Landstraße/Department of Gastroenterology, Vienna, Austria
,
B Itzlinger-Monshi
4   Klinik Landstraße/Department of Dermatology, Vienna, Austria
,
M Kienbauer
5   Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern/Department of Gastroenterology, Linz, Austria
,
M Geroldinger-Simic
6   Ordensklinikum Elisabethinen/Department of Dermatology, Linz, Austria
,
C Högenauer
7   Medical University of Graz/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graz, Austria
,
B Rainer
8   Medical University of Graz/Department of Dermatology, Graz, Austria
,
S Reinisch
2   Medical University of Vienna/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vienna, Austria
,
W Reinisch
2   Medical University of Vienna/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vienna, Austria
,
L Kazemi-Shirazi
2   Medical University of Vienna/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vienna, Austria
,
G Novacek
2   Medical University of Vienna/Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Vienna, Austria
› Author Affiliations
 
 

    Background Mucocutaneous findings are common in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Adverse skin reactions induced by anti-inflammatory treatment schedules for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) add to the overall increased risk of skin reactions. We aimed to determine if a skin investigation prior to initiation of biologics in IBD patients will detect relevant skin diseases and change further patient management.

    Methods This is an ongoing multicenter cohort study performed in 4 tertiary IBD centers and dermatological departments. IBD patients requiring biological treatment underwent a dermatological screening prior to initiation of biologics. All pathological findings, as well as IBD-specific data, were recorded. A descriptive analysis was performed.

    Results 502 patients (50 % female) with a median disease duration (IQR) of 6.9 (2, 15) years were eligible for inclusion. 364 patients (72.5 %) had CD, 125 (24.9 %) UC and 13 (2.6 %) inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU). Median age (IQR) was 37 (29, 49) years. 330 (65.7 %) patients had previously received any kind of immunosuppressive therapy, 168 (33.5 %) patients had a prior biological therapy. Melanoma was diagnosed in 5 patients (1.0 %), 4 cases were staged as T1a, one was a Tis. Non-melanoma skin cancers were detected in 24 patients (4.8 %). IBD associated skin diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, hidradenitis suppurativa and erythema nodosum were present in 5 (1.0 %), 16 (3.2 %) and 3 (0.6 %) patients, respectively. Viral warts were found in 77 patients (15.3 %). All patients received appropriate treatment. Melanoma patients were successfully treated by excision and are currently in remission without requiring adjuvant treatment.

    Conclusion A dermatological screening before initiation of biologicals is helpful in identifying patients with skin cancer and other high-impact dermatological diseases and should therefore be part of the pre-treatment screening program.


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    Publication History

    Article published online:
    01 September 2021

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