Recurrent infections in a patient with psoriatic arthritis and hypogammaglobulinemia, treated with conventional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs-a primary or secondary entity?

Abstract

A 54-year-old man with confirmed psoriatic arthritis, treated with conventional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, suffered from severe, recurrent respiratory tract infections. He was found to have hypogammaglobulinemia. Further investigations confirmed the diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency. Introduction of immunoglobulin G replacement therapy allowed for safe and effective treatment of psoriatic arthritis with etanercept and methotrexate. Patients with a history of recurrent infections on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and hypogammaglobulinemia should be assessed for primary antibody immunodeficiencies, even in adulthood.

Keywords: Biologics; CVID; DMARDS; Infections; Psoriatic arthritis.