Polymyalgia Rheumatica Following COVID-19 Vaccination.

We herein report a 71-year-old woman presented with a fever, arthralgia, general malaise and leg muscle stiffness following administration of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech). Laboratory findings showed an elevated C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, Gallium-67 scintigraphy demonstrated an increased uptake in multiple joints. Typing of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) revealed the presence of the DRB1*0404/*0803 allele. These findings met the diagnostic criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and when we started steroid treatment, her symptoms improved rapidly. This patient developed PMR after receiving a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech). This case is considered to be valuable, as the HLA-DRB1 allele was also confirmed.

Attitudes toward telemedicine of patients with Parkinson’s disease during the COVID‐19 pandemic

BackgroundCOVID‐19 had spread all over the world by the end of 2019. In Japan, the government declared a state of emergency in March 2020. Although no study has reported it in detail, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) can be vulnerable to COVID‐19, because they have poor respiratory excursion. Telemedicine is a very effective way of reducing the risk of COVID‐19 infection, as well as reducing the physical, economic, and psychological burden on patients.AimTo evaluate PD patients’ inclinations to use telemedicine during the COVID‐19 pandemic, because the start of telemedicine in our hospital was being considered.MethodsThe subjects were 103 PD patients who visited Fukuoka University Hospital between April 1 and May 8, 2020. These patients completed a 15‐item questionnaire survey about telemedicine.ResultsA majority of the patients were aware of the availability of telemedicine (77%) and were inclined to use it (60%). Credit card users (P < .001), smartphone users (P = .006), and those who lived in a region distant from the hospital (P = .006) were significantly inclined to use telemedicine.ConclusionIn this study, there was an inclination to use telemedicine in a majority of patients with PD during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We believe that the introduction of telemedicine has a multitude of advantages during the pandemic period and beyond.

Global Survey on Telemedicine Utilization for Movement Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic restricted usual healthcare management for movement-disorders patients, with a consequent upsurge in telemedicine to bridge the gap. OBJECTIVE: To assess global telemedicine usage in the context of the pandemic. METHODS: The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Telemedicine Study Group surveyed telemedicine experts from 40 countries across all continents in March-April 2020. Four domains of telemedicine were assessed: legal regulations, reimbursement, clinical use, and barriers; comparing emerging responses to the pandemic versus the baseline scenario. RESULTS: All forms of telemedicine for movement disorders increased globally, irrespective of country income categorization, as an immediate response to the pandemic. This was aided by widespread availability of technology and updated government regulations. However, privacy concerns, lack of reimbursement, limited access, and lack of telemedicine training were barriers highlighted worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: Questions remain about the longevity and extent of changes in regulations and reimbursement regarding telemedicine in the aftermath of the pandemic. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.