Dermatologic Problems During COVID-19 Pandemics in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction. Our stady aimed toinvestigate the rate of dermatologic disorders in kidney transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We performed a retrospective observational single-center cohort study including all adult renal transplant recipients with a functioning kidney allograft and who have recovered from the SARS CoV-2 infection. The study was conducted at a tertiary center in Croatia from March 2020 to August 2022. The study included 321 patients (57% were male). Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital charts and records, while selfreported cosmetic problems were reported prospectively. Results. The study included 321 patients (57% were male). Overall, 59 patients (18%) reported or were diagnosed with dermatological conditions. Eleven patients presented with facial eruptions that were most pronounced in the area covered by the mask, one patient developed similar changes in the skin of her hands. Hair loss was reported by twenty female patients, with the hair loss persisting in three patients. Six patients were diagnosed with skin cancer in the areas covered by facial masks. Three had squamous cell skin cancer, two were diagnosed with basal cell skin cancer, and one had a neuroendocrine skin tumor on the chin. Conclusion. Dermatologic problems are frequent in kidney transplant recipients recovered from acute COVID- 19. Besides cosmetic problems, skin malignancies may be diagnosed with a delay. Kidney transplant recipients should be advised to regularly self-examine their skin for potential skin cancer with dermatologic evaluation when necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]