[Rheumatology and COVID-19]

Current pandemic implies changes in patient care in rheumatology to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission to patients visiting health-care facilities, by organizing less frequent blood tests, using teleconsultations, and switching from intravenous to subcutaneous drug administration. Patients under immunosuppressive treatment are considered at high risk of severe outcome and are protected accordingly by the Swiss authorities. However, current, scarce scientific evidence suggests that patients under immunosuppressive therapy do not necessarily develop severe COVID-19 presentations. Therefore, the current guidelines recommend pursuing the treatment throughout the pandemic. In case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, immunosuppressive drugs should be temporarily stopped, except for glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine.