Clinical characteristics and outcomes of psoriasis patients with COVID-19: A retrospective, multicenter cohort study in China

Chin Med J (Engl). 2024 Jul 20;137(14):1736-1743. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003024. Epub 2024 May 6.

Abstract

Background: Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Results: Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs . 39.8% [92/231] vs . 37.5% [140/373], P <0.001). Psoriasis progression with lesions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.197, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5.685-11.820, compared to no lesions), hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.068-2.343), traditional systemic (adjusted OR = 1.887, 95% CI = 1.263-2.818), and nonsystemic treatment (adjusted OR = 1.602, 95% CI = 1.117-2.297) were found to be associated with exacerbation of psoriasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not biologics (adjusted OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.680-1.274, compared to no treatment), according to multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions: A reduced risk of psoriasis exacerbation after SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed with biologics compared to traditional systemic and nonsystemic treatments. Significant risk factors for exacerbation after infection were identified as existing psoriatic lesions and hypertension.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT05961605).

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psoriasis* / complications
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05961605