Updated APLAR consensus statements on care for patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Int J Rheum Dis
; 24(6): 733-745, 2021 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1214741
ABSTRACT
AIM:
To update previous guidance of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) on the management of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.METHODS:
Research questions were formulated focusing on diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with RMD within the context of the pandemic, including the management of RMD in patients who developed COVID-19. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies to address the questions, and the APLAR COVID-19 task force convened 2 meetings through video conferencing to discuss its findings and integrate best available evidence with expert opinion. Consensus statements were finalized using the modified Delphi process.RESULTS:
Agreement was obtained around key aspects of screening for or diagnosis of COVID-19; management of patients with RMD without confirmed COVID-19; and management of patients with RMD with confirmed COVID-19. The task force achieved consensus on 25 statements covering the potential risk of acquiring COVID-19 in RMD patients, advice on RMD medication adjustment and continuation, the roles of telemedicine and vaccination, and the impact of the pandemic on quality of life and on treatment adherence.CONCLUSIONS:
Available evidence primarily from descriptive research supported new recommendations for aspects of RMD care not covered in the previous document, particularly with regard to risk factors for complicated COVID-19 in RMD patients, modifications to RMD treatment regimens in the context of the pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccination in patients with RMD.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rheumatic Diseases
/
Antirheumatic Agents
/
Consensus
/
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
/
Immunosuppressive Agents
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Reviews
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Rheum Dis
Journal subject:
Rheumatology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
1756-185x.14124
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