Pattern of skin diseases prompting biopsy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

• Main Authors: Sari, Agnes Rosarina Prita, Radiono, Sunardi, Soebono, Hardyanto, Ferronika, Paranita
• Format: Article PeerReviewed
• Published: Malaysian Society of Pathologists 2022
• Subjects: Dermatology; Pathology
• Online Access: https://repository.ugm.ac.id/283836/; https://www.scopus.com/
• Institution: Universitas Gadjah Mada

Introduction: Less biopsies were expected when large scale social restrictions were enforced during COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: To compare the skin diseases prompting biopsy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of skin diseases was performed; the skin problems were then grouped into major histopathological reactions. Results: A total of 229 biopsies were performed before the COVID-19 outbreak, whereas only 160 biopsies were done during the pandemic. Before versus during the outbreak, the proportion of major reactions were granulomatous 20.52 vs 21.88, neoplasms 17.47 vs 20, psoriasiform 14.85 vs 10, vesiculobullous 9.61 vs 8.75, others 10.92 vs 7.50, interface dermatitis 6.99 vs 10, vasculopathy 6.99 vs 5.63, spongiotic 6.55 vs 8.13, panniculitis 3.49 vs 3.75, and superficial and deep dermal infiltrate 2.62 vs 4.38. Conclusion: A decreased total number of patients prompting less biopsies were reported during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the three largest percentages of major histopathological reactions were still similar, namely granulomatous, neoplasms, and psoriasiform. © 2022, Malaysian Society of Pathologists. All rights reserved.