Background The multi-morbid burden and use of systemic immunosuppressants in people with psoriasis may confer greater risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes but data are limited. Objective Characterize the course of COVID-19 in psoriasis and identify factors associated with hospitalization. Methods Clinicians reported psoriasis patients with confirmed/suspected COVID-19 via an international registry, PsoProtect. Multiple logistic regression assessed the association between clinical/demographic characteristics and hospitalization. A separate patient-facing registry characterized risk-mitigating behaviours. Results Of 374 clinician-reported patients from 25 countries, 71% were receiving a biologic, 18% a non-biologic and 10% no systemic treatment for psoriasis. 348 (93%) fully recovered from COVID-19, 77 (21%) were hospitalized and nine (2%) died. Increased hospitalization risk was associated with older age (multivariable-adjusted OR 1.59 per 10 years, 95% CI 1.19-2.13), male sex (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.23-5.12), non-white ethnicity (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.24-8.03) and comorbid chronic lung disease (OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.52-9.83). Hospitalization was more frequent in patients using non-biologic systemic therapy than biologics (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.31-6.18). No significant differences were found between biologic classes. Independent patient-reported data (n=1,626 across 48 countries) suggested lower levels of social isolation in individuals receiving non-biologic systemic therapy compared to biologics (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.94). Conclusion In this international moderate-severe psoriasis case series, biologics use was associated with lower risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization than non-biologic systemic therapies, however further investigation is warranted due to potential selection bias and unmeasured confounding. Established risk factors (being older, male, non-white ethnicity, comorbidities) were associated with higher hospitalization rates. Clinical Implications We identify risk factors for COVID-19-related hospitalization in psoriasis patients, including older age, male sex, non-white ethnicity and comorbidities. Use of biologics was associated with lower hospitalization risk than non-biologic systemic therapies.

ObjectiveWe designed this study to determine the frequency of alexithymia in Ecuadorian patients with psoriasis, as well as possible associations between demographic factors, disease severity, and treatment adherence.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 99 Ecuadorian patients with psoriasis was conducted. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to ascertain whether age, gender, educational level, years with disease, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, and treatment adherence categories are prediction factors in patients with psoriasis to present alexithymia, possible alexithymia or no alexithymia.ResultsA total of 99 patients participated in the study with a gender distribution of 57.6% male, and an average age and years with disease of 48.3 and 7.4, respectively. Out of all patients, 33.3% presented alexithymia, and 22.2% possible alexithymia, as assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The multiple regression model statistically significantly predicted the TAS-20 score from age, gender, educational level, years with psoriasis, PASI score and level of adherence F (7,88) = 4.171, p = 0.001, adj. R2= 0.189. Only having the highest educational level added statistical significance to the prediction of having a lower TAS-20 score, whilst the remainder variables did not.ConclusionWe found a similar proportion of alexithymia, as well of average TAS-20 scores among Ecuadorian patients with psoriasis in comparison to previous studies. Only having the highest educational level was found to decrease the TAS-20 score. Age, gender, years with psoriasis, PASI score and level of adherence were not identified as factors that influence the TAS-20 score.

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One of the pathogenic causes of cutaneous inflammatory pseudotumors is chronic localized fibrosing leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLFLCV), a vasculitic reaction pattern seen in granuloma faciale (GF), a localized vasculitis, and erythema elevatum diutinum (EED), a generalized vasculitis. Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are at risk for a diverse spectrum of cutaneous neutrophilic dermatoses such as EED. Herein, we report a 74-year-old man who presented with a large ulcerative, fungating tumor affecting the right flexor ankle caused by CLFLCV. During his workup and management, MDS and Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloid leukemia was diagnosed. Surgical excision of the inflammatory mass promptly triggered tumor recurrence, whereas antineutrophil therapy (dapsone coupled with hydroxyurea, and prednisone) lead to tumor regression. Histopathologic examination revealed an eosinophilic-rich small-vessel neutrophilic vasculitis associated with storiform and angiocentric fibrosis (GF-like). In the regions of fibrosis, dilated lymphatic and vascular spaces were numerous, some of which were congested with small CD3-positive lymphocytes (intralymphatic and intravascular lymphocytosis). These findings indicate coexisting localized lymphedema. By direct immunofluorescence, IgM and C4d vessel deposits were detected. The pathogenesis of the fibrotic nodules and plaques of CLFLCV is suspected to be due to recurring bouts of immune-complex vasculitis, creating a cycle of vessel damage followed by reparative granulation tissue. Poor lymphatic drainage may be the underlying factor initiating and maintaining recurrent, localized episodes of immune-complex vasculitis and progressive fibrosis. Although his tumor histopathology resembled GF-eosinophilic rich CLFLCV-the clinical context points to a solitary and paraneoplastic case of EED.

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BackgroundUrticarial Vasculitis (UV) is in most of the cases idiopathic; however it has been associated with several conditions and drugs. Over the counter (OTC) diet pills are widely available, even on-line, but they are rarely regulated by pharmaceutical control.Case presentationWe present the case of a 35-year-old female patient suffering of pruriginous and painful wheals more than 1 cm in diameter, with a burning sensation. The eruption lasted more than 24 hours and was accompanied by angioedema, headache and myalgia. No remarkable medical history was found, except for previous intake of OTC diet pills. UV diagnosis was confirmed by the skin biopsy of a lesion.ConclusionOTC diet pills are widely available worldwide, and due to its widespread use, allergologists and dermatologist should be able to recognize symptoms and lesions of cutaneous vasculitis, which may be under reported.

Scalp psoriatic itch is a common, bothersome, yet understudied, condition with numerous associated treatment challenges. The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology of scalp psoriatic itch. Immunohistochemical analysis of known neuroimmune mediators of pruritus was conducted using scalp biopsies from 27 Hispanic psoriatic patients. Patients were categorized into mild/moderate or severe itch groups according to their itch intensity rating of scalp itch. Protease activated receptor (PAR2), substance P, transient receptor potential (TRP)V3, TRPM8 and interleukin-23 expression all correlated  significantly with itch intensity. The pathophysiology of scalp psoriasis is largely non-histaminergic, mediated by PAR2, interleukin-23, transient receptor potential channels, and substance P.

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