Impacts of COVID-19 on Dermatologic Practice, Disease Presentation, and Immunomodulator Prescriptions

How does COVID‐19 impact psoriasis practice, prescription patterns, and healthcare delivery for psoriasis patients? A cross‐sectional survey study

“…Similarly, prescriptions of methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics were reduced in the overall dermatology practice during COVID-19 in other parts of the world. 12 Alternatively, for patients already receiving biologics or immunosuppressive treatment, most dermatologists favored continuation of therapy. Discontinuation of immunomodulatory treatment temporarily was recommended only if the patient is infected or suspected of COVID-19 [13][14][15] During the pandemic, the dermatologists' preference to initiate/ continue phototherapy that we report here highlights the importance of rescheduling, adequate sterilization, and safety precautions to avoid crowding and long waiting times, thus maintaining safe phototherapy sessions for psoriasis patients.…”

“…This reflects the judgment of each case independently based on a benefit–risk ratio. Similarly, prescriptions of methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics were reduced in the overall dermatology practice during COVID‐19 in other parts of the world 12 . Alternatively, for patients already receiving biologics or immunosuppressive treatment, most dermatologists favored continuation of therapy.…”

“…More than half of participants also agreed that appointments and phototherapy sessions were more frequently canceled by patients. In general, the dermatology practice was negatively affected by the COVID‐19 with a reduction in visits and the quality of care 12 . In Egypt, the number of patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinic was markedly reduced in the public and private sectors during the lockdown, 3 taking into account that psoriasis may represent 1.3% of patients attending the dermatology outpatients in the country 22 …”

“…In general, the dermatology practice was negatively affected by the COVID-19 with a reduction in visits and the quality of care. 12 In Egypt, the number of patients attending the dermatology outpatient clinic was markedly reduced in the public and private sectors during the lockdown, 3 taking into account that psoriasis may represent 1.3% of patients attending the dermatology outpatients in the country. 22 During this pandemic, teledermatology was a safe alternative to face-to-face visits.…”

The Risk of COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis Receiving Systemic Treatments

“…Nonetheless, there is concern that patients on immunosuppressant biologic therapies might be at higher risk of being infected and a question as to whether they need to discontinue their treatment pre-emptively. Indeed, a reduction in prescribing of immunosuppressants and biologics has been a common practice [45,46]. Generally, the decision to discontinue systemic treatment has been reported to be autonomous, due to fear of a risk of infection, rather than shared with the general practitioner.…”