The available data on past and present outbreaks of Coronavirus infections (SARS, MERS, COVID-19) suggest that immunosuppressed patients are not at increased risk for severe manifestations and complications of COVID-19 compared to the general population.
Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory drugs (human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and anti-interleukin-6) may potentially control the “cytokine storm” associated with a poorer outcome in these patients.
Thus, patients with cutaneous immune-mediated diseases (including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa) can, in general (and subject to individual consideration with the prescriber), continue their treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak. This would prevent disease flares that can contribute to increasing patient burden, disability, poor quality of life, and healthcare usage.
Withholding immunosuppressive (e.g. methotrexate, cyclosporine) or biologic treatment in patients with active COVID-19 infection is generally recommended. Starting these treatments in the event of active infections is contraindicated.
If patients develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, it is advisable that such treatments are paused. We recognize that some comorbidities associated with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and atopic dermatitis (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, asthma), and in those aged 60 years and older, worsen the prognosis of COVID-19 infection.
If patients live in areas with a high incidence of COVID-19 infection, or are close contacts of confirmed cases, individual consideration should be given to temporary discontinuation of some therapies considering factors such as age or comorbidities.
Currently we have no data regarding the impact of systemic psoriasis therapies (or therapies for atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa) on susceptibility to or severity of COVID-19 infection. Thus, any guidance is based on previous clinical experience and an understanding of the mechanisms of action of our therapies. The TF recommends that all patients with these diseases who have either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection are entered into the relevant registries established to address this lack of data.
Repository of references and further readings:
• Managing Cutaneous Immune-Mediated Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract on recommendations for patients with cutaneous immune-mediated diseases,
Pr. Luis Puig and Dr Tiago Torres, Spain
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 10 April 2020
• Should biologics for psoriasis be interrupted in the era of COVID-19?
Concern about immunosuppressive or immunomodulating effects that might render patients on biologic therapies more susceptible to COVID-19 infection -> provide data on infectious complications for biologic therapies from pivotal trials for psoriasis.
Dr Mark Lebwohl, Ryan Rivera-Oyola /US, Dr. Dedee Murrell /Australia - JAAD, 31 March 2020
• Recommendations for systemic therapy in persons with psoriasis during the pandemic phase of SARS-CoV-2
Statement and patient information to be used in practice and/or hospital. The statement is based on currently available evidence and an expert consensus on the basis of data from published literature.
PSOBest / The German Psoriasis-Registry
PsoBest, 18 March 2020, SARS-CoV-2
• Statement on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Recommendations for psoriasis patients treated with immunosuppressant medications
IPC (International Psoriasis Council)
COVID-19, IPC ALERT; 11 March 2020
• How to proceed in patients with concomitant diseases/comorbidities?
(Link available soon. Papers to be available during week 16 or 17)
GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis),
ECCO (European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation)
SPIN Presentation
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Recent publications on Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis
on Psoriasis
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Methods Mol Biol.
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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease characterized by chronic inflammation and itchiness. Although skin barrier dysfunction and immune abnormalities are thought to contribute to the development of AD, the precise pathogenic mechanism remains to be elucidated. We have developed a unique, diet-induced AD mouse model based on the findings that deficiencies of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids and starches cause AD-like symptoms in hairless mice. Here, we present a protocol and (...)
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IL-22 is an IL-10 family cytokine that is increased in asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the specific role of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of allergic lung inflammation and AD in vivo has yet to be elucidated. We aimed to develop mouse models of allergic diseases in the lung and skin with inducible and tissue-specific expression of IL-22, using a tetracycline (Tet)-controlled system. In this chapter, we describe a series of protocols we have developed to generate a construct that (...)
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Asthma is a heterogeneous airway disease occurring in children, and it has various clinical phenotypes. A clear differentiation of the clinical phenotypes can provide better asthma management and prediction of asthma prognosis. Little is currently known about asthma phenotypes in Korean children. This study was designed to identify asthma phenotypes in school-aged Korean children.
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