J Dent Oral Biol | Volume 7, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Epidemiologic Trends in Notified Lichen Planus and Psoriasis Diagnoses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil

Nelson Pereira Marques^1*, Quemuel Pereira da Silva², Daniella R Barbosa Martelli³, Edson Gomes de Lucena⁴, Paulo Rogério F Bonan² and Hercílio Martelli Júnior^3,5

1Department of Oral Diagnoses, School of Dentistry, State University of Campinas, Brazil
2Health Science Centre, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil
3Primary Care Postgraduate Program, State University of Montes Claros, Unimontes, Brazil
4Department of Clinical and Social Dentistry, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil
5Health Science Postgraduate Program, State University of Montes Claros, Brazil

^*Correspondance to: [email protected] 

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Abstract

Introduction: Simultaneously to the onset of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many skin diseases have been diagnosed, including systemic lupus, lichen planus and psoriasis. The disruption of selftolerance and activation of autoimmune responses by SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactivity with host cells accounts for this coincidence. Objectives: To evaluate the number of clinical consultations of Psoriasis (PS) and Lichen Planus (LP) in Brazil before and during the pandemic period. Material and Methods: We compared the data from the Brazilian Unified Health System on the number of LP and PS diagnoses. Results: An increase of +8,016 (+26%) can be observed for clinical consultations of patients with PS in the pandemic period, with a cohesive distribution in all five geographic regions. In the same way, the number of LP increased +86 (+42%) in Brazil, compared with the period before the pandemic. Conclusion: Lichen planus and psoriasis diagnosis should be carefully monitored during COVID-19 pandemic. Studies with other inflammatory autoimmune diseases are needed to compare and confirm the worry with the present results.

Keywords:

COVID-19; Lichen planus; Pandemics; Autoimmune diseases

Citation:

Marques NP, da Silva QP, Barbosa Martelli DR, de Lucena EG, Bonan PRF, Martelli Júnior H. Epidemiologic Trends in Notified Lichen Planus and Psoriasis Diagnoses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil. J Dent Oral Biol. 2022; 7(2): 1192. ISSN: 2475-5680.