Clinical features of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the association of its relapse with infection: Across‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the relationship between RMDs relapse and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.MethodsWe carried out a cross‐sectional observational study among 585 patients with RMDs and 619 individuals without RMDs. Data on demographics, the clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), antirheumatic therapy, and RMD relapse were collected. Differences between RMDs and control groups, infected and uninfected groups, relapse and non‐relapse RMDs groups were examined. The influence of COVID‐19 infection on medications and relapse of RMDs was also assessed.ResultsAmong 1204 participants finally recruited for analysis, 1030 (85.5%) were infected with COVID‐19. Seven hundred and ninety‐five (77.2%) of infected individuals were female, and the median age was 40 years (IQR 33, 50). Patients in the RMD group had a relatively lower risk of COVID‐19 symptoms whereas were significantly more likely to require hospitalization (6.7% vs. 2.2%). In the RMDs group, younger patients who were under the age of 65 were more likely to report more symptoms. More patients with RMD relapse (27, 34.6%) adjusted their medications during the period of COVID‐19 infection than those without relapse (59, 13.2%).ConclusionPatients with RMDs were at lower risk of symptoms of COVID‐19. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease patients experience a higher risk of relapse especially when they adjust medications during COVID‐19 infection. The long‐term prognosis of infected RMDs patients need further investigation.