To date the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing with over 5 million registered deaths and over 1 million confirmed new cases daily Still limited information about the possible risks and protective factors for the severity and mortality of COVID-19 The initiation of the immune response in vitiligo is triggered by IFN-I production. Likewise, IFN-I and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play also an important role against SARS-CoV-2 virus including COVID-19 Patients with vitiligo have a genetic susceptibility profile that encodes for immune and apoptotic regulators A retrospective online questionnaire study (4 categories) was conducted in a cohort of vitiligo patients and healthy controls between November 2021 and January 2022. Categories: 1. Participant characteristics 2. COVID-19 risk factors 3. COVID-19 4. Vitiligo 209 participants completed the questionnaire 1. Do vitiligo patients clear a SARS-CoV-2 infection more efficiently compared to healthy controls? There was no significant relationship between vitiligo and developing COVID-19 [P=.930]. 35 [22%] vitiligo patients and 11 [22%] controls developed COVID-19. Univariate logistic regression models showed no confounding factors for developing COVID-19. 2. Do vitiligo patients have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 compared to healthy controls? There was a significant difference between having fever in vitiligo patients compared to healthy controls [p=.036], all other symptoms did not show a significant difference. 1 patient with vitiligo was admitted to the hospital, he was known with obesity and ITP. 10 vitiligo patients [28.6%] and 25 controls [45.5%] suffered from post-COVID-19 symptoms [P=.297]. The lingering symptoms between the two groups were similar: loss of smell, tiredness and shortness of breath were mostly reported. 3. Does a SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 increase the activity of vitiligo? 10 vitiligo patients reported that their vitiligo increased after COVID-19, all these patients already had an active vitiligo before or during COVID-19. 25 vitiligo patients reported that their vitiligo remained stable after COVID-19.

To date the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing with over 5 million registered deaths and over 1 million confirmed new cases daily Still limited information about the possible risks and protective factors for the severity and mortality of COVID-19 The initiation of the immune response in vitiligo is triggered by IFN-I production. Likewise, IFN-I and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play also an important role against SARS-CoV-2 virus including COVID-19 Patients with vitiligo have a genetic susceptibility profile that encodes for immune and apoptotic regulators.
A retrospective online questionnaire study (4 categories) was conducted in a cohort of vitiligo patients and healthy controls between November 2021 and January 2022. 
Categories: 
1. Participant characteristics 
2. COVID-19 risk factors 
3. COVID-19 
4. Vitiligo 209 participants completed the questionnaire 

1. Do vitiligo patients clear a SARS-CoV-2 infection more efficiently compared to healthy controls? 
There was no significant relationship between vitiligo and developing COVID-19 [P=.930]. 35 [22%] vitiligo patients and 11 [22%] controls developed COVID-19. Univariate logistic regression models showed no confounding factors for developing COVID-19. 
2. Do vitiligo patients have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 compared to healthy controls? 
There was a significant difference between having fever in vitiligo patients compared to healthy controls [p=.036], all other symptoms did not show a significant difference. 1 patient with vitiligo was admitted to the hospital, he was known with obesity and ITP. 10 vitiligo patients [28.6%] and 25 controls [45.5%] suffered from post-COVID-19 symptoms [P=.297]. The lingering symptoms between the two groups were similar: loss of smell, tiredness and shortness of breath were mostly reported. 
3. Does a SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 increase the activity of vitiligo? 
10 vitiligo patients reported that their vitiligo increased after COVID-19, all these patients already had an active vitiligo before or during COVID-19. 25 vitiligo patients reported that their vitiligo remained stable after COVID-19.

ESDR063 - Autoimmunity and disease outcomes of COVID-19, lessons from vitiligo patients

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.