ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in arthritis patients receiving biotech drug therapy. Methods: Telephone interview. Results: 226 respondents. COVID-19 symptoms were reported in 24 (10.6%);of these 33.3% discontinued therapy;75% in therapy presented moderate disease activity. 41.5% vaccinated. Post vaccination antibody assay performed in 7.9% of patients. Two hospitalized patients. Comorbidities found: mood deflection 62%, obesity: 63.4%, dyslipidemia: 54%, type 2 diabetes mellitus: 52%, thyroid disorders: 47%, hypertension 32%, metabolic syndrome: 32% ;respiratory diseases: 16%. The 24 patients who reported symptoms of infection were 20 women and 4 men, with an average age of 55, 11 had rheumatoid arthritis, 10 had psoriatic arthritis, 3 had spondyloarthritis. Drugs used were: anti TNF: 60%, anti IL17 30% anti CTLA4 6%, ts DMARDs 3% anti IL12/23 1%. The symptoms reported were: headache 90%, arthralgia 90%, myalgia 83%, fever 40%, dyspnoea 10%, ageusia 15%, anosmia 15%, asthenia 64%, cough 16%. Conclusions: The COVID-19 positive rate was similar to the general population with milder symptoms, two patients were hospitalized. Staying at home contributed to the development of mood deflection and weight gain which affected the activity of the disease, increased in two thirds of patients.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a significant restriction of movement between people. These measures have compromised chronic diseases patients' care pathways. Telemedicine can represent an option to the traditional visit. We evaluated the applicability of this new clinical tool for the rheumatic patient, investigating the propensity to use this innovative consultation method. Materials and Methods: We carried out a telephone survey and asked patients if they were interested in using telemedicine vs the classic method visit. We also collected demographic and occupational data of the patients interviewed. Results: 100 patients answered to the survey (M/F=25/75);the average age was 58.5 years. 65% of the interviewees had a device that allowed them to make video calls and 75% said they were in favor of making a visit with this technological support. Telemedicine was considered a valid modalityof visit for the 78% of patients and 55% would have preferred the classic visit. The level of education was the most relevant predictor for the acceptance of this innovative method. Discussion: Telemedicine seems a valid clinical tool that can be used for the follow-up of rheumatic patients so that it can be usefulin reducing waiting lists and both direct and indirect costs in the national health system.
ABSTRACT
Background: During the CoViD-19 pandemic in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM pts) present in our Medicine wards we administered a big amount of s.c. insulin through the basal bolus regimen in order to obtain a good metabolic control;often difficult to reach both for the septic state and steroid therapy. Since we administered almost 60 to 80 units/insulin per day (TDD), not always obtaining a good metabolic control, we thought to switch some of our in-patients treated with basal bolus insulin regimen to a bolus plus a fixed ratio combination of GLP1-RA/basal insulin trying to take advantage of both the antiinflammatory and slimming effect of GLP1-RA. Results: Between October and December 2020 we evaluated 54 T2DM in-patients with CoViD-19 pneumonia.They were 41 males and 13 females aged 70±5 yrs, BMI 31±3kg/sm with an average HbA1c 8.3±1.2 and an insulin TDD of 70±11 s.c. compared to 40 matched (for sex, age, BMI and insulin TDD) control pts treated with basal bolus regimen. Conclusions:We detected in the fixed ratio combination of GLP1- RA/basal insulin a faster and stable good metabolic control vs the basal bolus treated pts. We reduced the average amount of insulin TDD of 34% with great satisfaction of pts and nurses.