Autoimmune And Rheumatic Diseases

Working with minimal data and the pressure of the pandemic, the American College of Rheumatology put together guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, but especially those with autoimmune conditions, as well as those treated with rituximab, may be at greater risk for severe COVID-19 pneumonia than the general population, according to data.

Patient voices are growing louder in rheumatology. The calls for shared decision-making and a dual target strategy of assessing disease remission are increasing with a body of evidence showing that when patient needs are met, outcomes improve.

Studies examining the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 and its link to immune system dysregulation are providing an “unparalleled opportunity” to learn more about autoimmunity, according to a review published in Pathogens and Immunity.

The mortality rate of patients with giant cell arteritis increased from 50 deaths per 1,000 in 2000 to 57.6 per 1,000 in 2018, while mortality among the general population declined, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Moderate and high disease activity, as well as the use of immunosuppressants, were associated with a higher risk for COVID-related death in patients with rheumatic diseases, according to data in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

It is only natural that individuals taking immunosuppressive medications would fear COVID-19.

As I reflect on this past year, I think back to February 2020 when my travel life was coming to an end and to that mere inkling of feeling I had that something evil was coming. Like most of us, I did not foresee the events that would unfold.

Patients’ response to anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy for advanced melanoma, and their incidence of immune-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher, were similar regardless of preexisting autoimmune disease, according to data.

Rheumatology patients with musculoskeletal, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should be vaccinated for COVID-19, according to newly released recommendations from the American College of Rheumatology.