Maculopapular Eruption in COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Comparative Study

Aim: Maculopapular eruption (MPE) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is increasingly reported. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 patients presenting with MPE and compare them with COVID-19 patients without MPE. Materials and Methods: COVID-19 patients with and without MPE followed up in a single tertiary center between March 2020 and December 2020 were assessed and compared in terms of demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings. Results: A total of 114 COVID-19 patients (female: male ratio=0.4: 1, mean age: 51.44 +/- 16.62 years) confirmed by total polymerase chain reaction testing were evaluated. Patients with MPE during COVID-19 (n=44) and patients without MPE during COVID-19 (n= 70) were divided into two groups and compared. Among clinical findings, the incidence of fever, myalgia, anosmi and ageusia, rhinorrhea, and/or nasal congestion was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with MPE. In terms of laboratory findings, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, vitamin D, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin, ferritin, fibrinogen median levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with MPE. In complete blood count, median hemoglobin, red blood cell, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts were also significantly higher in the MPE group. In the multivariate logistic regression model, ALP was independently associated with MPE in COVID-19 patients (odds ratio: 1.099, 95% confidence interval: 1.056-1.144, p<0.00). Conclusion: The MPE in COVID-19 patients may be indicative of increased inflammation and organ damage. Early diagnosis and isolation of these patients and close follow-up are crucial in reducing the risk of organ damage and severe disease. In addition, ALP is an important laboratory parameter related to MPE in COVID-19 patients.