Psoriasis Increases the Risk of ANCA Associated Vasculitis: Insights from A Propensity Score-Matched Study

This study aimed to investigate the risk of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAVs) among patients with psoriasis in a large population.

In this population-based study using the collaborative electronic health record research network, the risk of developing AAVs (ie, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)) was analyzed in a cohort of patients diagnosed with psoriasis between 2006 and 2024. Non-psoriasis controls were selected in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score matching. Patients who were diagnosed with AAVs before the index date were excluded. Univariate Cox proportional hazard model and subgroup analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for developing AAVs. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the cumulative incidence curves. The risk of AAVs in psoriatic patients treated with biological agents was explored.

After matching, 436,201 patients were included in each cohort. There were 281 incident cases of AAV during follow-up in the psoriasis cohort and 122 incident cases of AAV in the non-psoriasis cohort. The risk of developing AAVs in the psoriasis cohort was significantly higher than in the non-psoriasis cohort (HRs (95% CI) for AAVs, EGPA, and GPA were 2.01 (1.63 to 2.49), 1.84 (1.11 to 3.06), and 2.11 (1.65 to 2.71), respectively. Compared with psoriasis patients who did not receive biologics, those treated with biologics showed no statistically significant increase in AAVs risk (HR 1.31, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.66).

Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of AAVs development. Treatment with biologic agents is not associated with an elevated risk of AAVs.