key: cord-0024330-jh5xobv7
authors: Potestio, Luca; Camela, Elisa; Fabbrocini, Gabriella; Megna, Matteo
title: Letter to the editor regarding article “Yalici‐Armagan B, Tabak GH, Dogan‐Gunaydin S, Gulseren D, Akdogan N, Atakan N. Treatment of psoriasis with biologics in the early COVID‐19 pandemic: A study examining patient attitudes toward the treatment and disease course. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;00:1–5”
date: 2021-10-28
journal: J Cosmet Dermatol
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14550
sha: 8a81aef0cbe3b2b76c2989407f3f06c3fc10e493
doc_id: 24330
cord_uid: jh5xobv7

nan

We read with great interest the article published by Yalici-Armagan et al. 1 titled "Treatment of psoriasis with biologics in the early COVID-19 pandemic: A study examining patient attitudes toward the treatment and disease course" reporting that 30 out of 106 patients (28.3%) autonomously discontinued biologic therapy for psoriasis during COVID-19 pandemic, frequently experiencing disease worsening (20/30, 66.7%).

Herein, we describe our experience at the Dermatology Centre of the University of Naples Federico II, reporting that only 16/965 psoriasis patients (1.6%) stopped the biologic treatment during the early pandemic period (February 2020-June 2020). 2 Several factors may explain this result: the difference in COVID-19 incidence rate between Italy and Turkey and different related government actions, the necessity of hospitalization for intravenous administration of infliximab, a drug which was more frequently used in the Turkish sample, different subjects' attitudes to psoriasis and their treatments, as well as the telemedicine and informatic support system developed by our clinic during the pandemic. Indeed, at our Institution psoriasis patients were daily contacted by phone and/ or e-mails in order to provide them updated information about the relationship of COVID-19, psoriasis, and biologics, and to answer their questions and fears. 3 In this way, we could reassure the patients about the safety of biologics even during pandemic, avoiding the spread of fake news and increasing patients' compliance, limiting biologic interruption only when necessary (eg, respiratory symptoms, fever, strict contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case, etc.).

We believe that our telemedicine reorganization system was strictly 

Federico II within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.

None.

The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal's author guidelines page, have been adhered to. No ethical approval was required as this is a review article with no original research data. 

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Face the COVID-19 emergency: measures applied in an Italian Dermatologic Clinic

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases and biologics: what to expect after COVID-19 pandemic?

Biologics for Psoriasis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 and psoriasis: Is it time to limit treatment with immunosuppressants? A call for action

Treatment of psoriasis with biologics in the early COVID-19 pandemic: A study examining patient attitudes toward the treatment and disease course