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Br J Dermatol
. 2020 Sep 2.
doi: 10.1111/bjd.19507. Online ahead of print.
Association of COVID-19 with skin diseases and relevant biologics: a cross-sectional study using nationwide claim data in South Korea
S I Cho 1 , Y E Kim 1 , S J Jo 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 32875557
- DOI: 10.1111/bjd.19507
Abstract
Background: As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has spread, information about COVID-19 and skin disease or related biologics is still lacking.
Objective: We aimed to identify the association between COVID-19 and skin diseases or biologics.
Method: A nationwide claim dataset relevant to COVID-19 in South Korea was analysed. This dataset included insurance claim data before and during COVID-19 treatment and clinical outcomes. Claim data related to skin diseases and relevant biologics were analysed to figure out the association of COVID-19 with skin diseases and relevant biologics.
Results: The dataset contained a total of 234,427 (M/F: 111,947/122,480) subjects who underwent COVID-19 testing. Of them, 7,590 (3.2%) were confirmed as COVID-19 (+), and 227 (3.0%) confirmed patients died. Amongst various skin diseases and biologics, no significant increase in the presence of specific skin diseases or exposure to biologics was observed in the COVID-19 (+) group, even after adjusting for or matching covariates. The presence of skin diseases and exposure to biologics also did not seem to affect clinical outcomes including mortality.
Conclusions: Underlying skin diseases did not appear to increase susceptibility to COVID-19 or mortality from COVID-19. Considering the risks and benefits, biologics for dermatologic conditions might be continuously used during the COVID-19 pandemic.