Prevalence, outcomes and associated factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in psoriasis patients of Southwest China: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in psoriasis patients, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated risk factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 2023 to March 2023. Information was obtained with online questionnaire about psoriasis patients on demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes, vaccination, and routine protection against COVID-19. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors with SARS-CoV-2 infection and exacerbation of psoriasis. A total of 613 participants were recruited. 516 (84.2%) were infected, and associated factors were sex, working status, routine protection against COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccination, impaired nail, infection exacerbate psoriasis, and severity of psoriasis. Among the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, 30 (5.8%) required hospitalization, 122 (23.6%) had psoriasis exacerbation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and associated factors were subtype of psoriasis, discontinuation of psoriasis treatment during SARS-CoV-2 infection, response following COVID-19 vaccination, and severity of psoriasis. Booster dose vaccination contributed a low probability of COVID-19 sequelae. COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness was unsatisfactory, while booster dose vaccination reduced the occurrence of COVID-19 sequelae in psoriasis patients of Southwest China. Patients treated with psoriasis shown to be safe, without a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19hospitalization compared to untreated patients. Stopping treatment during SARS-CoV-2 infection led to psoriasis exacerbation, so psoriasis treatment could be continued except severe adverse reaction.

Figure 1

Forest plot for the multivariate regression analysis. In this figure, the position of the circles indicates the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for each significant factor, and the horizontal lines indicate the 95% CI associated with that value. Y coordinate of the corresponding calibration represents the significant factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. P-value of 0.05 or less are considered statistically significant.

Figure 2

Forest plot for the multivariate regression analysis. In this figure, the position of the circles indicates the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for each significant factor, and the horizontal lines indicate the 95% CI associated with that value. Y coordinate of the corresponding calibration represents the significant factors associated with psoriasis exacerbation. P-value of 0.05 or less are considered statistically significant.