Erythrodermic psoriasis is a severe, life-threatening condition with additional complications, when occurring in hemodialyzed patients, as the majority of treatments are contraindicated. A 44-years-old man, of Philippine origins, with a 15-years-history of psoriasis treated with cyclosporine developed progressive hypertension and renal insufficiency. Despite drug dismission, renal function worsen to end-stage, and hemodialysis was necessary three times a week. Phototherapy was not able to control the skin condition, progressing to erythroderma, and after nephrology consultation, the patient consent to the off-label secukinumab treatment, at the standard regimen (300 mg subcutaneously once weekly at weeks 0-4 followed by 300 mg every 4 weeks). Seven days after the first injection, a rapid improvement was noted, with the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score passing from 31.5 to 17.6. At the 52-week-follow-up visit, the patient was completely clarified, without any side effects. The case supports secukinumab effectiveness and safety in difficult patients, including erythrodermic psoriasis with end-stage renal failure, as drug plasma levels seem not to be affected by hemodialysis. Results are rapidly achieved, and long term maintained, with the additional advantage of a very comfortable monthly administration.
Keywords: erythrodermic psoriasis; hemodialysis; psoriasis; secukinumab; therapy.
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