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Organising pneumonia associated with fumaric acid ester treatment for psoriasis

Alexander Paul Deegan1, Brian Kirby, Sarah Rogers

  • 1St. Vincent's University Hospital, Respiratory Department, Dublin, Ireland.

The Clinical Respiratory Journal
|October 5, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A 49-year-old male developed organizing pneumonia (OP) while on fumaric acid esters (FAE) for psoriasis. Treatment with oral prednisolone led to rapid improvement, suggesting a potential link between FAE and OP.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • A case study of a 49-year-old male patient with psoriasis treated with oral fumaric acid esters (FAE).
  • The patient presented with respiratory symptoms including dyspnea and cough, alongside constitutional symptoms like weight loss and night sweats.

Observation:

  • Chest X-ray revealed unresolved patchy infiltrates.
  • Thoracic CT scan showed bilateral consolidations with air bronchograms.
  • Transbronchial biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP).

Findings:

  • Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a potential adverse effect of fumaric acid esters (FAE).
  • This association between FAE and OP has not been previously reported in medical literature.
  • Prompt treatment with oral prednisolone resulted in significant clinical and radiological recovery.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider organizing pneumonia (OP) in patients using fumaric acid esters (FAE) who present with respiratory symptoms.
  • This case highlights a novel adverse drug reaction associated with FAE therapy.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism and incidence of FAE-induced organizing pneumonia.

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