The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology patients with rare skin diseases

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis, presenting novel challenges while worsening preexisting difficulties for individuals with rare diseases. Internationally, they have experienced disruptions in their medical care, with a lack of access to essential treatments and diagnostics. We focused on the specific challenges faced by individuals living with rare skin diseases in Albania, a country with limited healthcare infrastructure. The pandemic led to a significant decrease in our service, resulting in an 87.1% reduction in patients hospitalized in 2020 compared to 2019. Notable gender and age disparities were observed in hospitalizations, with a shift towards more male patients and a decline in younger age groups seeking medical attention. Innovative approaches such as telemedicine helped maintain care for this vulnerable patient population. Further research is required to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on individuals with rare skin diseases and develop strategies for their care in future emergencies.