Assessing the incidence of skin and soft tissue infection in patients on biologics.

BACKGROUND

Biologic agents may predispose patients to skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Guidelines recommend discontinuing the agent preoperatively; the true risk of infection is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence of SSTIs in patients receiving biologic agents for all clinical indications. A secondary aim was to assess those undergoing surgery to determine postoperative SSTI risk.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review was conducted at 2 urban tertiary care hospitals. Biologic agent use ranged from June 2013 to June 2018. Data were extracted on biologic agent injections, surgical procedures, and patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Hypertension, former smoking, and corticosteroid use were significantly associated with SSTI risk (P < .05). There was no increased SSTI risk among biologic agents (P = .49). Biologic therapy with concomitant corticosteroid use increased risk of SSTI (P = .0049). There was no difference in postoperative SSTI risk in patients who stopped biologic therapy before surgery and those who did not.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no increased risk of either postoperative or nonperioperative SSTI risk among biologic agents. Concomitant corticosteroid use increased SSTI risk. Current guidelines regarding stopping biologic agents before surgery warrant re-evaluation, because there was no difference in SSTI risk in patients who did so.