Methods
This cross-sectional, multicentric, observational study was conducted in
35 Italian centers. This registry, which was aimed to collect data on
moderate-severe AD patients treated with systemic agents and/or
phototherapy during COVID-19 outbreak, has been promoted by the Italian
Society of Dermatology (SIDeMaST) and approved by the national ethical
committee for COVID-19-related studies (Istituto Nazionale per le
Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani I.R.C.C.S.). The study period
included the three phases of first wave COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
(Figure S1).
Adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) affected by moderate-to-severe AD,
treated with systemic immunosuppressive/immunomodulant compounds or
phototherapy, were included in the DA-COVID-19 registry if face-to-face
evaluation or remote visit (via telephone- or web-consulting) were
performed between March 10th and April
30th, 2020. By April 30th, data have
been collected monthly, thereafter, on an ad-hoc database. Data were
collected at 3 different timepoints: April 30th(Timepoint 1), May 30th (Timepoint 2), and June
30th (Timepoint 3) (Figure S1). Subjects who signed
the informed consent were included in this study. Baseline data included
age, gender, occupation, atopic comorbidities, smoking habits (smoker,
former smoker, or non-smoker), and disease severity.