Laboratory monitoring in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease associated with various comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psoriatic arthritis, liver disease, and mood disorders. Biologic and small-molecule therapies are efficacious and well tolerated in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. However, dermatologists may be uncertain about appropriate laboratory monitoring in patients treated with these therapies, especially those with comorbidities.

This review summarizes prescribing information and provides expert recommendations based on real-world experience in the monitoring of concerning laboratory values in patients with psoriasis.

Individualized monitoring is essential for maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks associated with biologic and small-molecule therapies. The recommendations provided in this review focus on laboratory monitoring associated with biologic and small-molecule therapies; additional laboratory monitoring may be necessary for other therapeutic classes. Laboratory monitoring of comorbid conditions is based on individual patient clinical characteristics and occurs at the discretion of the treating physician; general laboratory monitoring guidelines for some of the most common comorbid conditions in patients with psoriasis are included.

Patients with psoriasis can be successfully monitored in clinical practice through ongoing collaboration among dermatologists, primary care physicians, and/or other specialists.