https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2020.1289
COVID-19 pandemic and biological therapy in rheumatologic disorders: how to deal with?
Accepted: 18 July 2020
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has involved more than 159 countries and more than 5 million people worldwide. A 40-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisolone, Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and biologic agents was admitted with chief complaints of fever, chills, malaise, myalgia, and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral subsegmental atelectasis and diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lungs inducing the suspicion of COVID-19 infection. The oro-nasopharynx swab sample for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction was positive. In addition to supportive care, lopinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily and oseltamivir (75 mg) twice daily were started in combination with a starting dose of hydroxychloroquine (400 mg). The methotrexate dose was decreased, and the dose of prednisolone was increased to 30 mg for 10 days. Azathioprine and adalimumab were continued at previous doses. The use of biologic agents and DMARDs in rheumatic patients is a serious challenge in the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the key roles of cytokines in the promotion of the disease, the rheumatic patients may benefit from continuing their previous treatment, which may have protective effects.
How to Cite
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Similar Articles
- B. Gharib, A. Ghareh Zadeh Shirazi, E. Moradi, B. Yaghmaei, V. Ziaee, A rare disease with a rare presentation: hemi-atrophy caused by fibromuscular dysplasia in a 27 month old girl , Reumatismo: Vol. 71 No. 1 (2019)
- D. Gatti, S. Adami, B. Canesi, M.A. Cimmino, O. Della Casa, M. Del Tacca, C. Klersy, G. Leardini, P. Patrignani, L. Punzi, S. Bombardieri, Antinflammatory therapy and cardiovascular risk: a consensus view , Reumatismo: Vol. 58 No. 2 (2006)
- Rossella De Angelis, Fausto Salaffi, Emilio Filippucci, Walter Grassi, Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment , Reumatismo: Vol. 58 No. 1 (2006)
- M.A. Cimmino, F. Salaffi, I. Olivieri, F. Trotta, P. Sarzi Puttini, W. Grassi, V. Modena, F.P. Cantatore, S. Bombardieri, S. Adami, L. Punzi, G. Lapadula, Gruppo MI.D.A., Pain patterns in italian patients with osteoarthritis: preliminary results of the MI.D.A. Study (Misurazione del Dolore nell’Artrosi) , Reumatismo: Vol. 56 No. 4 (2004)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
