The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on psoriasis patients, and their immunosuppressive treatment: a cross-sectional multicenter study from Turkey
Journal of Dermatological Treatment, vol.33, no.4, pp.2137-2144, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 33 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2022
- Doi Number: 10.1080/09546634.2021.1927947
- Journal Name: Journal of Dermatological Treatment
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
- Page Numbers: pp.2137-2144
- Keywords: COVID-19, psoriasis, immunosuppressive drugs, biologics, treatment adherence
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Background: Immunosuppressive therapy has been a great concern during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on psoriasis patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Material and Methods: The multicenter study was conducted in 14 tertiary dermatology centers. Demographic data, treatment status, disease course, and cases of COVID-19 were evaluated in patients with psoriasis using the immunosuppressive treatment. Results: Of 1827 patients included, the drug adherence rate was 68.2%. Those receiving anti-interleukin (anti-IL) drugs were more likely to continue treatment than patients receiving conventional drugs (OR = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.181–1.895, p =.001). Disease worsening rate was 24.2% and drug dose reduction increased this rate 3.26 and drug withdrawal 8.71 times. Receiving anti-TNF or anti-IL drugs was associated with less disease worsening compared to conventional drugs (p =.038, p =.032; respectively). Drug withdrawal causes were ‘unable to come’ (39.6%), ‘COVID concern’ (25.3%), and ‘physician’s and patient’s co-decision’ (17.4%). Four patients had COVID-19 infection with mild symptoms. The incidence was 0.0022% while it was 0.0025% in the general population. Conclusion: Our study shows that psoriasis patients using systemic immunosuppressive do not have a higher, but even lower COVID-19 risk than the general population, and treatment compliance with biological drugs is higher.