Impact of COVID-۱۹ on Patients with Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: The COVID-۱۹ pandemic has posed significant challenges for healthcare providers in managing autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD), including pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid. This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-۱۹ on AIBD patients, including mortality, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and severity of the disease. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a total of ۲۲۴ biopsy-confirmed AIBD patients referred to our center from September ۲۰۲۱ to May ۲۰۲۳ were included. Data on demographics, COVID-۱۹ infection, hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality were collected and analyzed using SPSS version ۲۴.۰. Results: Of the ۲۲۴ patients, ۶۳.۴% had pemphigus vulgaris, and ۳۶.۶% had bullous pemphigoid. Based on the results, COVID-۱۹ infection rates were ۴۷.۲% in pemphigus vulgaris and ۵۳.۶% in bullous pemphigoid patients. Hospitalization and mortality rates were higher in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (۱۷.۹%, ۸.۹%) compared to those with bullous pemphigoid (۱۳.۶%, ۲.۲%). Conclusion: Patients with pemphigus vulgaris are at higher risk of severe COVID-۱۹ outcomes than those with bullous pemphigoid. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted treatment strategies.