Biologics increase COVID-19 infection risk but may protect psoriatic patients from ICU hospitalisation and death.
Treatment with biologics increases the risk of COVID-19 infection in psoriatic patients but appears to protect them from ICU hospitalisation and death, the results from an Italian study revealed at the 29th EADV Congress, EADV Virtual.
The study compared 1193 adult psoriatic patients receiving biologics and small molecules under the care of the San Donato Hospital in Milan, Italy, compared with the population of the Lombardy Region, Italy from 21 February 2020 (first case of Coronavirus in Italy) to 9 April 2020.
Compared with the general population of Lombardy, patients receiving biologics were at higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 (unadjusted OR 3.43 [95%CI 2.25-5.73], p<0.0001), being self-quarantined at home (OR 9.05 [95%CI 5.61-14.61], p<0.0001) and being hospitalised (unadjusted OR 3.59 [95%CI 1.49-8.63], p=0.0044). However, their risk of being admitted to ICU (unadjusted OR 3.41 [95%CI 0.21-54.55], p=0.3861) and of dying (unadjusted OR 0.41 [95%CI 0.03-6.59], p=0.5306) were not statistically significant.
Dr. Giovanni Damiani, a dermatologist at University of Milan; Clinical Dermatology, IRCCS Instituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Italy, said “Despite the higher risk for COVID-19 displayed by obese, active smokers and COPD patients, there were almost no data about the risk for psoriasis patients treated with biologics. Although biologics, since they suppress the immune system, increased patients’ risk of being infected with COVID-19 compared with the general population, we were pleasantly surprised to see that they did not increase their risk of severe disease and death.”
About EADV:
Founded in 1987, EADV aims to further the knowledge of health professionals and advocates in the field of dermatology and venereology. It is a non-profit organisation with over 7,000 members, across 113 different countries in the world. To find out more visit https://www.eadv.org/.
About EADV Virtual:
This year’s Congress, EADV Virtual: New Frontiers in Dermatology and Venereology, provides an opportunity for colleagues from around the world to explore the latest developments in science and patient care that are at the heart of the academy’s mission. To find out more visit https://eadvvirtualcongress.org/
