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Morphea associated with the use of adalimumab: a case report and review of the literature

  • Case Report
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Modern Rheumatology

Abstract

Therapy with TNF blockers may induce cutaneous adverse events, but the development of morphea, a localized scleroderma lesion, is extremely infrequent. We describe a 37-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis treated with adalimumab who developed morphea lesions in the lower limbs after 12 months of treatment. Adalimumab was discontinued, which resulted in progressive improvement in the skin lesions, with only mild hyperpigmentation remaining. We also review reports of morphea and other adverse cutaneous events related to anti-TNF treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arthritis Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, Stairway 11, 2nd Floor, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Julio Ramírez, M. Victoria Hernández, Juan D. Cañete & Raimon Sanmartí

  2. Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Javier Galve

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  1. Julio Ramírez
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  2. M. Victoria Hernández
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  3. Javier Galve
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  4. Juan D. Cañete
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  5. Raimon Sanmartí
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Correspondence to Julio Ramírez.

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Ramírez, J., Hernández, M.V., Galve, J. et al. Morphea associated with the use of adalimumab: a case report and review of the literature. Mod Rheumatol 22, 602–604 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-011-0550-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-011-0550-4

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