ABSTRACT
Background: The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic on people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) remains to be fully established. It is unclear whether SARDs are an independent risk factor for COVID-19 infection and poor outcome. Objectives: The aim of our study is to assess the incidence and prognosis of test-proven SARS-CoV-2 infection during the frst COVID-19 wave in a large population of SARD patients of the Lazio Italian region. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated in a cohort of 4.716.119 subjects aged over 18 years and affiliated to the health system of the Lazio Italian Region, the incidence and 30-day outcomes of COVID-19 infection in 40.490 SARD pts and compared to the affiliated population as incidence rate ratio adjusted for demographics and comorbidities (adjIRR). SARD diagnosis and comorbidities were derived from medical administrative records using the Chronic Related Group classifcation system. Data on COVID-19 infection were derived from a dedicated regional digital network. Results: The risk of COVID-19 infection was increased in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (adjIRR=1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.33) and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (adjIRR=1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.54). The risk of hospitalisation was higher in patients with Axial Spondylarthritis (adjIRR=2.16, 95% CI 1.45-3.22), and Systemic Vasculitis (adjIRR=1.81, 95% CI 1.07-3.06) while the risk of Intensive care unit admission was higher in Systemic Erythematous Lupus (adjIRR=3.67, 95% CI 1.52-8.83) and primary Sjögren Syndrome (adjIRR=4.13, 95% CI 1.71-9.96) patients. An increased COVID-19 mortality was reported in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (adjIRR=1.50, 95% CI 1.04-2.17), Systemic Erythematous Lupus (adjIRR=2.67, 95% CI 1.10-6.44), primary Sjögren Syndrome (adjIRR=2.51, 95% CI 1.12-5.62), and Scleroderma (adjIRR=4.60, 95% CI 2.06-10.29). Conclusion: The incidence of severe COVID-19 is not increased in the same percentage in SARDs. Each SARD presents a peculiar pattern in terms of increased risk of COVID-19 incidence, hospitalisation, intensive care unit admission and death, that is not linked to the immunosuppressive behaviour of the disease.
ABSTRACT
Background: Intravenous iloprost is currently recommended in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) refractory to oral therapy and of digital ulcers (DUs) related to systemic sclerosis (SSc). In real-life practice there is a huge heterogeneity about the Iloprost regimens used, because of a lack of specifc recommendations. Coronavirus pandemic resulted in an unexpected emergency leading to sudden and synchronous withdrawal of programmed iloprost infusions for most SSc patients in March 2020, in order to limit virus dissemination. At the same time, lockdown forced people to stay at home, thus reducing the exposure to coldness. Both these unavoidable circumstances were close to an experimental condition, clearly non-replicable in routine conditions. Objectives: The aim of the survey was to evaluate the consequences related to a sudden and simultaneous iloprost discontinuation in a cohort of SSc patients. Methods: A telephone survey was carried out on SSc patients that interrupted Iloprost infusion at our centre. They were specifcally asked to compare acral vascular symptoms just before Iloprost withdrawal, in February and just after the missed infusion in March (0-10 scale). Demographic and disease characteristics, severity and frequency of R P, new DUs onset or aggravation of those pre-existing were reported for each patient. Last available capillaroscopic images were also evaluated to assess the pattern. Results: The analysis included 50 patients. After iloprost withdrawal, 11 patients reported a RP worsening because of enhanced intensity (4.6±2.1 vs 5.2±2.3, p=0.007). Only 8 patients of them also complained of an increased frequency (4.5±2.3 vs 5.0±2.4, p=0.07). None of the patients experienced digital ulcers for the frst time during quarantine. Among the 27 patients with a history of digital ulcers, 9 reported worsening and 7 recurrences of DUs. Overall, 17 patients (34.0%) complained of a worsening of SSc vascular acral manifestations, namely RP or DUs. Disease and general features did not statistically correlate with worsening of RP except for reduced capillary density. Of note, each unit increase of capillary density corresponds to an average 44% decrease in the odds of RP worsening (OR 0.56, CI 95% 0.36-0.97, p=0.037). History of DUs-either active or former at the time of ilo-prost discontinuation-was the only clinical predictor of worsening of DU severity. As for RP worsening, the worsening of DU was associated with a lower capillary density. Conclusion: Low capillary density can predict a worsening of both RP and DUs within a month after iloprost discontinuation in SSc patients. Further studies are needed to assess whether the capillaroscopy should be used to personalize ilo-prost regimen in SSc patients.