Ep. 279 "To Test for TB or Not: Latest Recommendations for Psoriatic Disease Treatments"

Description:

Do you wonder if TB testing is needed when on a biologic for psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and why? Hear the answer to such questions and more from dermatologist Dr. G. Scott Drew as he addresses recent recommendations.          

Join host Archie Franklin as he discusses the latest recommendations from NPF and the International Psoriasis Council about routine testing for tuberculosis (TB) with treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis such as TNF-inhibitors, IL-17’s, IL-23’s and others with NPF Medical Board member and leading dermatologist Dr. G. Scott Drew from Mid-Ohio Dermatology.   

This episode identifies when a screening for tuberculosis (TB) is needed based on the type of treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis given recent recommendations from the National Psoriasis Foundation and the International Psoriasis Council.   

Timestamps:

  (0:00)        Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guest welcome dermatologist Dr. G. Scott Drew.                                                                                          (1:00)         What is tuberculosis (TB) and why testing is required with TNF-alpha inhibitors.                                                                                  (4:22)         Frequency of testing for TB and if false positive results occur.                                                                                                                      (6:15)         Do other immunosuppressants require TB testing?                                                                                                                                            (8:14)         Testing may create barriers to access or unnecessary testing.                                                                                                                          (11:03)       Release of new recommendations from the IPC and the NPF Medical Board offering  guidance of when to test for tuberculosis                          prior to and during treatment of psoriatic disease.                                                                                                                                          (15:37)       No longer need to wait to start therapy like the IL-17’s or IL-23’s to see the impact on quality of life.                                                      (18:26)       TB recommendations for other targeted medications like JAK inhibitors, PDE4, or the new oral IL-23 agent.                                  (19:15)        Implications of the recommendations for clinical trials.                                                                                                                                (20:13)        Become a member of NPF and visit the website to access resources and stay aware of the latest information impacting the care                       and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

 Key Takeaways:

·       Due to the contagious nature of tuberculosis, a mycobacteria infection that affects the lungs and other parts of the body, and the increased risk associated with suppressing TNF-alpha, a TB screening is required prior to initiating and during some treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

 

·       With more advanced and targeted psoriatic disease treatments now available, the National Psoriasis Foundation and the International Psoriasis Council joint position statement recommends that TB screening is no longer needed with use of IL-17 or IL-23 treatments. 

 

·       TB screening may still be appropriate for specific populations and when symptoms are present based on a clinician’s assessment.

Guest Bio:

Dr. G. Scott Drew is a medical and surgical dermatologist with Mid-Ohio Dermatology Associates where he specializes in inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, believing strongly in dermatology and patient care. He is board certified in both Dermatology and Family Practice. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Drew is a member of the clinical faculty at Ohio State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine and participates in multiple dermatologic research protocols at five locations in central Ohio. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, contributed to scientific symposia, and authored textbook chapters. Dr. Drew is a fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology, he is past president of the Marion Academy of Medicine, a member of the American Osteopathic Association, and is a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Medical Board contributing to the development of guidelines and consensus statements. He is passionate about education providing lectures both nationally and internationally on medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.

Resources:

Joint position statement from the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board and the International Psoriasis Council on routine testing for latent tuberculosis infection prior to and during treatment of psoriasis patients with interleukin 17 or interleukin 23 inhibitors. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Vol . 94/3; P802-809. March 2026.