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COVID-19, chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease and anti-rheumatic treatments

Dieu-Donné Ouédraogo1, Wendlassida Joelle Stéphanie Tiendrébéogo2, Fulgence Kaboré2

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Bogodogo, BP: 628, Ouagadougou 09, Burkina Faso. ouedd@yahoo.fr.

Clinical Rheumatology
|May 31, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This review explores how anti-rheumatic drugs may treat severe COVID-19 by targeting the cytokine storm. It also examines if inflammatory rheumatism increases intensive care unit risk for COVID-19 patients.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019, presents a significant global public health challenge.
  • Severe COVID-19 cases are characterized by a cytokine storm, involving hyperproduction of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α.
  • Existing anti-rheumatic drugs are being investigated for their potential efficacy in managing COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between the infectious and auto-inflammatory aspects of COVID-19.
  • To evaluate the potential of anti-rheumatic drugs in treating COVID-19.
  • To assess whether inflammatory rheumatism is a risk factor for intensive care unit admission in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on COVID-19 and anti-rheumatic treatments.
  • Analysis of the role of cytokine storms in severe COVID-19.
  • Examination of the relationship between inflammatory rheumatism and COVID-19 severity.

Main Results:

  • Anti-rheumatic drugs show promise in managing the hyperinflammatory response in severe COVID-19.
  • Current evidence suggests inflammatory rheumatism may not be a significant risk factor for ICU admission in COVID-19 patients, though more research is needed.
  • The review distinguishes between the infectious and autoimmune components of COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-rheumatic drugs offer a potential therapeutic avenue for severe COVID-19 by modulating the cytokine storm.
  • Further research is crucial to fully understand the interplay between inflammatory rheumatism and COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Distinguishing between infectious and auto-inflammatory processes is key to effective COVID-19 management.

Keywords:
COVID-19CoronavirusRheumatoid arthritisTreatment

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