Apremilast in the Management of Disseminated Granuloma Annulare

Abstract

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common inflammatory skin condition that manifests as annular skin colored to erythematous papules and plaques. Disseminated GA is a subtype of GA that presents with diffuse cutaneous involvement. While topical and intralesional corticosteroids and phototherapy have been used as therapies for GA, there is no consensus on the best course of treatment for GA. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that has been Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease; apremilast has also shown promise off-label for other inflammatory skin conditions. Here, we present the case of a woman in whom apremilast use led to an almost complete resolution of her disseminated GA. Our patient tolerated apremilast well and reported no side effects. We also review the literature on the use of apremilast in other patients with GA.