Mortality Rates Increased in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis During the COVID-19 Pandemic

According to a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, an excess psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) mortality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Researchers aimed to determine the mortality trends of PsO and PsA between 2010 and 2021 with a focus on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in a nationwide population-based study. Data were collected from the National Vital Statistics System. Age-standardized morality rates (ASMR) and cause-specific mortality for PsO/PsA were calculated. Observed vs predicted mortality for 2020 to 2021 based on trends for 2010 to 2019 was evaluated using modeling analysis.

ASMR for PsO increased from 2.07% in 2010 to 2019 to 15.26% in 2020 to 2021 among PsO deaths. The excess mortality of PsO was 22.7% higher in 2020 and 34.8% higher in 2021 compared with the general population. The ASMR rise was most pronounced in women and the middle-aged group. PsA ASMR and excess mortality were similar to PsO. More than 60% of excess mortality for PsO and PsA was contributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

“Individuals living with PsO and PsA were disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic,” concluded the study authors. “Both ASMRs increased at an alarming rate, with the most pronounced disparities among the female and middle-aged groups,” they added.

Reference
Liu Y, He X, Lee EY, et al. Excess psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: a nationwide population-based study from 2010 to 2021. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online February 18, 2023. doi:10.1111/jdv.18978