Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with psoriasis

Abstract

Background Children with psoriasis may have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and their illness may also have affected their ability to follow preventive measures. Objective To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with psoriasis. Methods A survey of children (< 18 years) with psoriasis, conducted from June 10 to June 29, 2020. Results In total, 92 children were included: 71.7% had psoriasis lesions at the time of home lockdown while 45.2% were receiving systemic treatments, and two contracted COVID-19. During lockdown, psoriasis worsened in 47.3% of the children and 18.8% stopped their systemic treatments, mainly for reasons linked to the pandemic. A total of 41.3% had a consultation for psoriasis during lockdown (71.1% by teleconsultation): 39.5% due to worsening of their psoriasis and 21.1% for pandemic-related issues. Among patients not having a consultation during lockdown, 27.5% had a cancellation by the doctor and 9.3% had concerns over going to see the doctor. Finally, 22.8% of patients reported finding it difficult to respect hygiene measures because of their psoriasis, e.g., application of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (47.6%), handwashing routines (42.9%), and wearing a mask (28.6%). Conclusions This study demonstrates the major clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with psoriasis. Teleconsultations played a key role in patient management as regards patient monitoring, provision of information, and renewal of treatments. It is vital that we learn from these data to improve and adapt the monitoring of chronic dermatoses in both children and adults in the event of a future health crisis.

Clinical Dermatology and COVID-19 Pandemic

“…[ 42 ] Such findings have also been extrapolated in pediatric patients suffering from psoriasis who experienced disease flares during a mandatory lockdown and had their medication stopped for COVID-related reasons. [ 43 ] Despite these associations, as well as the excellent safety profile of biological agents in psoriasis patients infected with COVID-19,[ 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 ] the rate of biological initiation for psoriasis has decreased during the pandemic. [ 52 ] This, as well as flares in disease, may be explained by diminished access to tertiary dermatology centers responsible for the initiation of biological agents[ 53 ] as well as patients fearing the initiation or continuation of immunosuppressive agents.…”

A comparative study of social inequalities in education as an effect of Covid-19 pandemic: A case of schools in Saudi Arabia and Kenya

“…The attempt of the government to implement remote learning also had numerous hurdles because of a lack of defined infrastructure. With all of the schoolchildren out on vacation, the government had little time to get ready for the abrupt change (Beytout et al, 2021). The majority of teachers and education stakeholders had poor digital information dissemination skills and a lack of accurate information about needs for virtual instruction.…”

Management of Children with Psoriasis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…В частности, отмечены развитие обострений псориаза в случае инфекции, стресса или прекращения лечения, проблемы с последующим медицинским наблюдением и более высокий риск тяжелого течения COVID-19 у детей, получающих иммунодепрессанты [16]. Опрос 92 детей с псориазом (Франция) в период пандемии COVID-19 показал, что во время изоляции у половины детей возникло обострение псориаза, 14% прекратили лечение, в основном по причинам, связанным с пандемией, 23% сочли затруднительным соблюдать профилактические меры по охране здоровья из-за своего заболевания, консультации около 3/4 пациентов проводили онлайн [18]. Однако только у двух детей развились симптомы COVID-19, и только один из этих пациентов сообщил об обострении псориаза во время инфекции.…”

“…Кроме того, показано, что почти четверть пациентов могут испытывать трудности с соблюдением профилактических мер из-за псориаза в связи с болезненными ощущениями при обработке рук антисептиками, что затрудняло их выход в организованные детские коллективы. Более того, некоторые дети и родители были обеспокоены возвращением в школу из-за опасений по поводу риска, связанного с лечением, а также потенциального риска заражения COVID-19 [18]. Это исследование имеет ряд ограничений.…”

“…Однако некоторые специалисты считают, что для дистанционного консультирования должны быть разработаны стандартизированные инструменты измерения и мониторинга (оценка степени тяжести кожного процесса, анкеты и т.д.) состояния здоровья -как у детей, так и у взрослых [18].…”