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Tuberculosis-Related Outcomes in Dermatologic Patients Receiving Systemic Therapy: A Systematic Review and
Kaixuan Liu1, Ziyi Zeng1, Wenjie Lu1
1Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Importance:
Biologic agents are commonly used with conventional immunosuppressants for treatment of immune-mediated dermatologic diseases, raising concerns about tuberculosis (TB) risk, particularly in high-burden geographic regions. Previous studies have shown inconsistent results across biologic classes, with most focusing on active TB and limited data on latent TB infection (LTBI) conversion.
Objectives:
To evaluate the incidence of active TB and LTBI conversion in dermatologic patients receiving systemic therapy and to explore differences by biologic class and regional TB burden.
Data Sources:
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to October 1, 2025. Controlled vocabulary and free-text terms were used for dermatologic diseases, systemic therapies, and tuberculosis-related outcomes. Clinical trial registries and reference lists were also screened.
Study Selection:
Randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies reporting active TB or LTBI conversion in dermatologic patients receiving systemic therapy were included. Two reviewers independently screened records and performed full-text assessment.
Data Extraction And Synthesis:
Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) were conducted independently by 2 reviewers following PRISMA guidelines. Single-arm incidence rates were pooled using random-effects models with logit transformation. Prespecified subgroup analyses were conducted by biologic class and regional TB burden.
Main Outcomes And Measures:
Primary outcomes were incidence of LTBI conversion (among patients with negative baseline results of tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay) and active TB during follow-up.
Results:
Of 4726 records identified, 31 studies comprising a total of 15 005 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The pooled incidence of LTBI conversion was 4.3%, highest with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, followed by interleukin (IL)-17 and ustekinumab (IL-12/23 p40 inhibitor). The overall incidence of active TB was 1.0% and it was more frequent in high-burden regions.
Conclusions And Relevance:
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, TB-related risk varied by biologic mechanism and epidemiologic context. Risk assessment and monitoring should integrate dermatologic treatment class and regional TB burden to guide clinical decision-making.
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