Evaluation of COVID-19 incidence in psoriatic patients receiving Adalimumab

Background: Adalimumab is a highly human monoclonal antibody that binds to tumor necrosis factor, a key proinflammatory cytokine pathogenic in psoriasis. It considers an influential factor in controlling moderate to severe psoriasis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Adalimumab on COVID-19 incidence in patients with psoriasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2021. Eighty patients with psoriasis referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, one group was treated with Adalimumab, and the other group received the control treatment. The incidence of the disease was assessed by the history of COVID-19 signs and symptoms, positive RT‐ PCR testing and graphing, and physician diagnosis. Findings: The mean age of patients was 39.5 (±7.9 S.D.). 36(45%) patients were infected with COVID-19, and 44 (55%) patients were not infected, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the infection with COVID-19 (P value = 0.36). There was a significant relationship between infection with COVID-19 and the severity of psoriasis (P value=0.01).  Although, in the severe psoriasis group, which was significantly more affected byCOVID-19, there was no statistically significant relationship between Adalimumab consumption and COVID-19 affection (P value = 0.19). Conclusion: Psoriasis patients treated  with Adalimumab are as prone to COVID-19 infection. However, patients with severe psoriasis are more likely to develop COVID-19; this matter is not related to the use of Adalimumab, and it is not necessary to discontinue or change Adalimumab.