Contributions of Dermatologists to COVID-19 Research: A Brief Systematic Review
July 2020
in “
Dermatologic Therapy
”
TLDR Dermatologists helped identify COVID-19 through skin symptoms and managed skin issues during the pandemic, but more high-quality research is needed.
In the systematic review conducted on May 14, 2020, which included 298 articles, the contributions of dermatologists to COVID-19 research were explored. The articles were categorized into topics such as cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19, management of skin diseases during the pandemic, operating experiences, mechanisms and treatment of COVID-19, and issues related to disinfection and personal protective equipment (PPE). The majority of the articles consisted of comments or personal perspectives, with 212 comments, 73 case reports or case series, 12 reviews, and only 1 case-control study, indicating a low level of evidence. The review underscored the role of dermatologists in early diagnosis of COVID-19 through skin symptoms, managing skin diseases, and preventing PPE-related skin issues. It also called for more high-quality research to substantiate the findings and recommended that dermatologists stay informed about COVID-19's dermatological aspects.
