THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AUTOIMMUNE BULLOUS DISEASES: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE: Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are rare but potentially severe conditions characterized by an autoimmune response against structural proteins of the skin and mucosa, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic represents a major global health crisis that may affect the immune system, potentially triggering or exacerbating autoimmune diseases. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of COVID-19 on AIBDs by comparing the clinical characteristics, incidence, and treatment responses of patients diagnosed before and after the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AIBDs at a university hospital between March 2016 and March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, disease subtypes, clinical severity, treatment response, and hospitalization requirements were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were included in the study, of whom 62 (46.3%) were diagnosed pre-pandemic and 72 (53.7%) post-pandemic. A significant increase in the incidence of bullous pemphigoid was observed in the post-pandemic period (59.7%, p=0.03). The incidence of AIBDs increased with age (p=0.02). Although no significant difference was found in disease severity, treatment-resistant cases were more frequently observed in the post-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased incidence of AIBDs, particularly in elderly individuals, and to the development of treatment resistance.