Evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals

Objective: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory and immune-mediated disease. The treatment of this condition with immunobiologicals has shown excellent responses, however, one of the known adverse effects is susceptibility to infections due to interference with the immune system. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the evolution of a population of patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals during the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study that included patients with psoriasis taking immunobiologicals for at least 6 months between March 2020 and August 2022. Results: A total of 86 patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals with a mean age of 54.9 years were included, and 27.8% also had psoriatic arthritis. Of the 86 patients, 42 had at least one episode of COVID-19, of whom 90.4% reported mild symptoms. Of those affected by the infection, 38.1% needed to seek medical attention and < 5% needed hospitalization; no patient needed hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Conclusion: Across the data collected, it was possible to conclude that it is safe to use immunobiologicals in patients with psoriasis in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection.