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

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.

Keywords::

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Antirheumatic agents
• Drug toxicity
• Localized scleroderma
• Tumor necrosis factor-alpha