Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that affects women in their reproductive years. Other similar diseases have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to assess whether pregnant women with psoriasis are at higher risk of developing complications, such as preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). A retrospective cohort, performed at two large tertiary centers, evaluated the outcomes of 162 pregnancies in 122 women with psoriasis and 501 pregnancies in 290 women without psoriasis. Univariable and multivariable analyses, adjusting for important demographic factors, comorbidities, or a propensity score, were performed to evaluate the association of psoriasis and a poor outcome composite (POC), including PTB (<37 gestational weeks) and LBW (<2,500  g). Repeated measures analysis was used to account for the multiple pregnancies per woman. Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and spontaneous abortion were also evaluated. For women with psoriasis, there was a 1.89-fold increase in odds of POC (95% CI 1.06-3.39) in the univariable analysis. This effect remained statistically significant in the multivariable analyses. Psoriasis was not associated with cesarean delivery, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and spontaneous abortion. This study has shown higher odds of POC in patients with psoriasis. Further larger population-based studies are required to confirm these findings.

Although limited by small sample sizes, length of follow-up, and a lack of direct comparisons with other psoriasis treatments, initial data regarding the safety and efficacy of briakinumab for the treatment of psoriasis is promising. Ongoing Phase III trials may provide additional information regarding the relative efficacy and safety of briakinumab.

This project, although limited by missing data, is consistent with previous findings that psoriasis prevalence is between 2.2% and 4.6% in the US. It demonstrates the potential to evaluate prevalence of other skin conditions through existing national activities.