Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Successful guselkumab treatment for a psoriasis patient experiencing an adrenal crisis: a case report
Nana Luo1, Yi Shen1, Luxin Su1
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
Prolonged glucocorticoid therapy may lead to adrenal insufficiency (AI) or even adrenal crisis (AC) due to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Methods:
This case report describes a male patient with psoriasis who had received long-term irregular glucocorticoid therapy for psoriasis management. Following an upper respiratory tract infection, the patient developed generalized skin lesions accompanied by systemic symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and lethargy. After multiple misdiagnoses, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with psoriasis complicated by AC.
Results:
The patient was subjected to guselkumab combined with glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of psoriasis and AC. After 6 months, complete resolution of skin lesions was achieved, and adrenal function returned to normal.
Conclusions:
Dermatologists should be aware of the potential for AI when prescribing glucocorticoids (topical or systemic) to treat psoriasis. Guselkumab represents a viable therapeutic option for psoriasis patients with concurrent AI/AC.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Pericarditis III: Medical Management

