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Psoriasis After Exposure to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: French Pharmacovigilance Data and Review of the Literature

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Abstract

Introduction

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) can induce or aggravate psoriasis. This risk is not specified in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) of some drugs of this class, such as captopril or enalapril. We aimed to investigate the association between psoriasis and ACEI exposure.

Methods

We analyzed spontaneous reports recorded in the French national Pharmacovigilance Database (FPVD) from 1985 to 31 December 2018. The association between psoriasis and ACEI exposure was assessed using the case/non-case method. We also reviewed literature reports.

Results

One hundred reports of psoriasis after ACEI exposure were registered in the FPVD. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was 2.40 (95% CI 1.96–2.95). Time to onset was < 1 year in 67% of reports. Outcome was favorable in 73% of reports after ACEI discontinuation. Almost all ACEIs were concerned. In the literature, we found 21 published reports of psoriasis with ACEIs. Time to onset ranged from 1 week to 4 months. Outcome was also favorable after ACEI discontinuation in over half of the literature reports.

Conclusions

We found a statistically significant association between psoriasis and ACEI, which constitutes a potential safety signal. The risk of psoriasis is a class effect, time to onset is less than 1 year, and outcome is favorable after ACEI discontinuation. Psoriasis should be mentioned in the SmPCs of all ACEIs, and healthcare professionals should be informed about this risk.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Fiona Escarnot (EA3920, University Hospital Besancon, France) for translation and editorial assistance. We also thank all team members of the 31 French Pharmacovigilance Centres as well as the French Drug Safety Agency (ANSM) for the availability of the data.

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Correspondence to Brahim Azzouz.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study.

Conflict of interest

Brahim Azzouz, Aurore Morel, Emmanuelle Herlem, Lukshe Kanagaratnam and Thierry Trenque have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Azzouz, B., Morel, A., Kanagaratnam, L. et al. Psoriasis After Exposure to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: French Pharmacovigilance Data and Review of the Literature. Drug Saf 42, 1507–1513 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-019-00865-8

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