COVID-19 Knowledge in Patients with Psoriasis Receiving Systemic Therapy: a Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the impact of patient behavior on the treatment of psoriasis in the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the COVID-19 knowledge of the patients with psoriasis receiving systemic therapy in the pandemic. Methods: The patients who received systemic treatment for psoriasis presented to our dermatology outpatient clinic were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire measuring the level of knowledge about COVID-19 and psoriasis was administered to patients. Demographics and disease characteristics of patients were recorded. Results: A total of 183 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in the study. Of the patients, 33.9% thought that psoriasis exposes them to a risk of getting COVID-19, 30.6% declared that psoriasis treatment exposes them to a risk of getting COVID-19, and 59.6% were worried about getting COVID-19. The treatment discontinuation rate was 42.1%. The patients with high scholar level showed more anxiety and discontinued their treatment. Conclusions: The patients with psoriasis did not have adequate knowledge of the effect of both psoriasis itself and its treatment on COVID-19 during the pandemic. The patients on biologic therapy tend to discontinue their treatment based upon the physician's recommendation, whereas those on conventional therapy mostly on their own will. Clinicians should inform patients about current evidence of COVID-19 and psoriasis.