Evaluation of the Status of Patients with Autoimmune Bullous Diseases (Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoids) in Dermatology Clinics of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Telemedicine.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the growth of telemedicine. The challenge was in the way of dermatologists, who needed a comprehensive examination of the lesions. Here, we tried a tele-management of patients with autoimmune bullous diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on confirmed bullous disorder cases. Demographic data and the status of COVID-19 infection were assessed in the patients. Some of the cases were provided online, and some with office visits. Drug and treatment plan changes were compared between these two groups. All statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20. Result: Totally, 100 patients, including 46 males (46.0%) and 54 females (54.0%), 48.15 ± 11.11 years old, were studied. Among them, 73 were pemphigus vulgaris (73.0%), 11 were bullous pemphigoid (11.0%), 10 were pemphigus foliaceus (10.0%), and the other 6 (6.0%) were categorized as other autoimmune bullous diseases. During the pandemic, 38 cases (38.0%) had COVID-19 infection. 72 patients had office and 28 had online visits. Treatment plans after visits during the pandemic (p = 0.588) and drug dose change (p = 0.297) showed no significant difference between office and online visits.

Conclusion

Our patients tended to plan office visits more than online; however, we found no differences regarding the plan or treatment changes. Online visit has good efficacy, but further investigation in case of provision of a suitable platform and getting the attention of the patients is needed.