Latent tubercolosis infection in patients with cronic plaque psoriasis: evidence from the Italian Psocare Registry

SummaryBackground The nationwide prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Italian patients with psoriasis has never been investigated. Objectives To estimate the nationwide prevalence of LTBI in Italian patients with psoriasis who are candidates for systemic treatment. Methods Data were obtained from the Psocare Registry on those patients (n = 4946) with age > 18 years, systemic treatment at entry specified and tuberculin skin test (TST) performed according to the Mantoux method. LTBI diagnosis was based on a positive TST result in the absence of any clinical, radiological or microbiological evidence of active tuberculosis. Results Latent tuberculosis infection was diagnosed in…