Clinical experience of QuantiFERON?-TB Gold testing in patients with psoriasis treated with tumour necrosis factor blockers in Taiwan
Journal
British Journal of Dermatology
Journal Volume
164
Journal Issue
3
Pages
553-559
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Background In Taiwan, an intermediate tuberculosis burden country, around 9·3% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab develop tuberculosis despite prescreening with the tuberculin skin test. Within the Asia-Pacific region, the tuberculosis risk in patients with psoriasis who use tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers is unknown. Objectives This study reports the use of QuantiFERON?-TB Gold (QFT-G) (Cellestis, Melbourne, Vic., Australia) as a screening method for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with psoriasis. Methods This retrospective review evaluated 216 patients with psoriasis in whom TNF blockers were considered between 2004 and 2009 in a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan. Beginning in 2007, QFT-G was performed on all patients who were candidates for TNF blockers. Results Seventeen patients who used TNF blockers for less than 4 weeks were excluded. Of the 147 assessed patients receiving TNF blockers, 110 (75%) underwent QFT-G tests. A total of 126 (86%) patients used etanercept and 40 (27%) patients used adalimumab. Nineteen patients switched between both. Overall, patients had a median of 24 weeks (range 4-307) exposure to TNF blockers. Twelve patients (11%) who were treated with TNF blockers and eight (15%) without TNF blockers had positive QFT-G results. Of all TNF blocker users, only one patient (0·68%) developed tuberculosis. Conclusions QFT-G can be used to screen for LTBI in a tuberculosis endemic area where bacille Calmette-Gu?rin vaccination coverage is high. Isoniazid prophylaxis is recommended for those who have positive QFT-G test results. ? 2011 The Authors. BJD ? 2011 British Association of Dermatologists.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adalimumab; corticosteroid; cyclosporin; etanercept; ethambutol; isoniazid; methotrexate; pyrazinamide; rifampicin; ustekinumab; adolescent; adult; aged; analytical equipment; article; child; controlled study; drug exposure; experience; female; human; major clinical study; male; priority journal; prophylaxis; psoriasis; retrospective study; school child; screening test; Taiwan; tertiary health care; tuberculin test; tuberculosis; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Child; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Latent Tuberculosis; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Psoriasis; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Retrospective Studies; Taiwan; Tuberculin Test; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Young Adult
Type
journal article