COVID-19 Infection vs Vaccination and the Risk of New-onset Psoriasis

Authors

  • Sophie L. Preuß Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0661-7573
  • Henning Olbrich Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0863-7148
  • Katja Bieber Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3855-6683
  • Artem Vorobyev Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1542-0732
  • Eva Lotta Moderegger Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7124-0146
  • Khalaf Kridin Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Unit of Dermatology and Skin Research Laboratory, Barch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9971-9151
  • Henner Zirpel Institute and Comprehensive Centre for Inflammation Medicine, University of Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0053-4312
  • Diamant Thaçi Institute and Comprehensive Centre for Inflammation Medicine, University of Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8513-550X
  • Evelyn Gaffal Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4639-9841
  • Ralf J. Ludwig Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1394-1737
  • Philip Curman Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Dermato-Venereology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Dermatology and Venereology Division, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2051-8491

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v106.44217

Keywords:

Psoriasis, COVID-19, Vaccination

Abstract

Emerging evidence has suggested a link between new-onset psoriasis and both COVID-19 infection and vaccination, though findings have been limited by small case numbers and lack of adequate control groups. This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from the US Collaborative Network of TriNetX from January 2020 to January 2025 to compare the risk of developing new-onset psoriasis in individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection and no vaccination history vs those vaccinated without prior infection. Propensity score matching was applied to balance demographics, comorbidities, and psoriasis risk factors. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of psoriasis (ICD10-CM: L40.0–5) within 3 months following infection or vaccination. Subgroup analyses assessed the specific codes L40.0-5 separately. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare outcomes. Patients with COVID-19 infection had a significantly higher risk of developing psoriasis compared with vaccinated individuals (HR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14–1.49; p < 0.001). Increased risks were also observed for psoriatic arthritis and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris. These findings suggest a potential triggering role of infection in psoriasis pathogenesis and support the safety profile of vaccination. Further studies are needed to confirm causality and guide clinical decision-making.

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Published

2026-01-08

How to Cite

Preuß, S. L., Olbrich, H., Bieber, K., Vorobyev, A., Moderegger, E. L., Kridin, K., … Curman, P. (2026). COVID-19 Infection vs Vaccination and the Risk of New-onset Psoriasis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 106, adv44217. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v106.44217

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Vol. 106 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sophie L. Preuß, Henning Olbrich, Katja Bieber, Artem Vorobyev, Eva Lotta Moderegger, Khalaf Kridin, Henner Zirpel, Diamant Thaçi, Evelyn Gaffal, Ralf J. Ludwig, Philip Curman

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