DEVELOPMENT OF ALOPECIA DURING TREATMENT WITH A TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA INHIBITOR IN A FEMALE PATIENT WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITS: A CLINICAL CASE

Objective: to describe a case of the total development of alopecia in a female patient with psoriatic arthritis during treatment with a tumor necrosis factor-αlpha (TNF-α) inhibitor.
Materials and methods. Patient I., aged 36 years has been followed up at the Kazan’ Center of Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis since 1998. At approximately the same time, the patient noted the appearance of skin eruptions behind the ears, on the skin of the scalp. She was examined by a dermatologist who diagnosed psoriasis. In 2005, she was admitted to Kazan’ Rheumatology Center, City Clinical Hospital Seven, for the development of obvious synovitis of the knee joint and for the inefficiency of therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. During the prescribed therapy with methotrexate 10 mg/week, evident menstrual irregularities were observed in the patient who stopped using the drug herself. The second pregnancy occurred in 2008. Articular syndrome progression and eruptive psoriasis were recorded in the lactation period. After lactation cessation in 2009, she was hospitalized again. Her examination revealed high laboratory activity (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as high as 40 mm/hr); magnetic resonance imaging of the knee joints showed the signs of bilateral synovitis; lumbar spine radiography exhibited grade II sacroiliitis. Leflunomide 20 mg/day was recommended as a basic drug. In 2012, the patient used leflunomide, her condition worsened; joint pain progressed; new joints were involved into the process, and cutaneous manifestations were aggravated. To verify a diagnosis and to choose therapy, the patient was referred to a consultation at the Moscow Research Institute of Rheumatology.
Results. In connection with the high activity of the disease and with no response to the performed therapy, it was recommended to initiate therapy with biologics, such as infliximab, the drug of choice. Seven infliximab injections were well tolerated: the patient reported lower intensity of joint pains and regression of the skin manifestations of psoriasis. In 2013, after the eighth infliximab injection the patient sought medical advice because of complaints about an obvious exacerbation of psoriasis affecting the trunk, upper and lower extremities, and the development of total alopecia within a week. Discontinuation of cytostatics and biologics was recommended; whether ustekinumab therapy should be used was considered.
Conclusion. Practical interest in this clinical case is due to the development of a rare (3.3 %) adverse event in the patient with psoriatic arthritis – hair loss (total development of alopecia) during treatment with a TNF-α inhibitor.