ABSTRACT
Psoriasis severity may vary due to demographics and geography, yet data on the risk, racial disparities, and outcomes for COVID-19 in patients with psoriasis is limited. We evaluated rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among psoriasis patients in a California-based population through a cross-sectional study utilizing the University of California COVID Research Data Set (UC CORDS). Psoriasis diagnosis, COVID-19 testing, demographics, hospitalizations, and mortality were collected. Specific biologic (adalimumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, guselkumab, and etanercept) and systemic (cyclosporine and methotrexate) treatment for at least 30 days prior to COVID-19 testing were identified. Data from 290,838 patients is included in UC CORDS with a 3.59% positive COVID-19 test rate. Of these, 3,566 patients had a diagnosis of psoriasis, with a 2.44% positive infection rate;lower than the 3.56% infection rate for those without psoriasis (p=0.00021). There were no significant differences in hospitalization or mortality rate for COVID-19-positive psoriasis patients compared to those without psoriasis (p=0.5523, p=0.1152, respectively). Lastly, no significant difference in infection rate for psoriasis patients on systemic (2.92%, p=0.579) or biologic agents (2.46%, p=0.986) in comparison to psoriasis patients not on these treatments. UC CORDS data showed higher COVID-19 infection rates in non-white (3.05%) and Hispanic (8.35%) patients compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians (1.95%, p<0.00001). No significant differences were seen in infection, hospitalization, or mortality rates between non-Hispanic races (Caucasian, African American, and Asian). Overall, psoriasis patients did not have increased risk for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or mortality, regardless of treatment modality.