Cutaneous Manifestations in Biologically Treated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Narrative Review

The review from March 2021 discussed the skin-related side effects of biologic treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which target TNF-α and Th17 pathways. These side effects include a range of conditions such as infusion reactions, eczema, psoriasis, lupus, alopecia areata, vitiligo, lichenoid reactions, granulomatous disorders, vasculitis, skin cancer, and infections. It emphasized the importance of recognizing these adverse reactions to adjust treatment strategies, which may involve topical treatments or changing the biologic therapy. TNF-α antagonists were noted to have the highest rate of adverse skin eruptions, followed by ustekinumab and anti-integrin receptor blockers. The review aimed to guide clinicians in identifying and managing these skin conditions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.