COVID-19 vaccination status and its impact on psoriatic lesions in patients with psoriasis treated with biologics: a single-center cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate COVID-19 vaccination status and relevant adverse reactions in patients with psoriasis treated with biological agents, and to explore the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on psoriatic lesions. Methods Clinical data were collected from 572 psoriasis patients aged 18-60 years, who were registered in the management system of psoriasis patients treated with biological agents in the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital from May 2019 to June 2021. The COVID-19 vaccination status was investigated by telephone interviews, and the vaccination-related information was obtained by fixed healthcare workers during a fixed time period according to a predesigned questionnaire. Measurement data were compared between two groups by using t test, and enumeration data were compared by using chi- square test or Fisher's exact test. Results The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was 43.13%226 casesamong the 524 patients who completed the telephone interview, and was significantly lower in the biological agent treatment group30.79%, 105/341than in the traditional drug treatment group66.12%, 121/183;chi2 = 60.60, P < 0.001. The main reason for not being vaccinated was patients' fear of vaccine safety49.66%, 148/298, followed by doctors' not recommending26.51%, 79/298. In the biological agent treatment group after vaccination, the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions was more common in patients receiving prolonged-interval treatment42.86%, 6/14compared with those receiving regular treatment 4.40%, 4/91;Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001. Skin lesions were severely aggravated in two patients after COVID-19 vaccination, who ever experienced allergic reactions and whose skin lesions did not completely subside after the treatment with biological agents. Conclusions The COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate was relatively low in the psoriasis patients treated with biological agents, and no serious adverse reaction was observed after vaccination. Prolonged-interval treatment due to COVID-19 vaccination ran the risk of exacerbation of skin lesions.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023.