Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Covid Outcome in Pemphigus: Does Rituximab Make Pemphigus Patients Susceptible to More Severe Covid-19? Publisher Pubmed



Aryanian Z1, 2 ; Balighi K1, 3 ; Sajad B1 ; Esmaeli N1, 3 ; Daneshpazhooh M1, 3 ; Mazloumitootoonchi N1, 3 ; Beigmohammadi F1 ; Mohseniafshar Z4 ; Hatami P1
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Razi hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Dermatology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published:2023


Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised some concerns regarding the management of chronic skin diseases, especially in patients on immunosuppressive therapy including patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Literature review reveals conflicting results about the effect of monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab on clinical outcome of COVID-19. Objectives: To assess the reciprocal interaction of COVID-19 and pemphigus and the effect of rituximab on prognosis of COVID-19 in patients. Methods: We set up a retrospective study on adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris and a history of COVID-19 with or without symptoms during 2020. Results: Thirty-six adults with pemphigus vulgaris and SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. The SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed with positive RT-PCR test results in 31 cases (86.1%) and suspected in the 5 others (13.9%). Gender, total dose of rituximab, number of rituximab cycles, and involvement of head and neck were not associated to duration of COVID-19 symptoms (p values: 0.32, 0.23, 0.84, and 0.51, respectively), severity of disease (hospitalization) (p values: 0.46, 0.39, 0.23, and 0.72, respectively), or the percentage of lung involvement on CT scan (p values: 0.07, 0.36, 0.38, and 0.09, respectively). Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on pemphigus, the majority of patients did not experience any changes in their pemphigus regarding clinical phenotype (100%) or severity (83.3%), but PV was worsened in 6 (16.9%) patients which was controlled with increasing the prednisolone dosage. Conclusion: Rituximab appears to be safe with no increased risk of severe form of COVID-19 in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Other Related Docs
23. The Covid-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Esthetic Dermatology, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2022)
28. The Evaluation of Hematological Parameters and Their Correlation With Disease Prognosis in Covid-19 Disease in Iran, International Journal of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research (2023)
34. Covid-19: The Experience From Iran, Clinics in Dermatology (2021)