Post-COVID-19 arthritis: is it hyperinflammation or autoimmunity?

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with diverse musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions.
• Investigating post-COVID-19 arthritis is crucial for understanding long-term health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and causes of arthritis in Egyptian patients following COVID-19 recovery.
• To identify risk factors and predictive markers for post-COVID-19 arthritis.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 100 Egyptian patients, 6 months post-COVID-19 recovery, were evaluated.
• Assessment included inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, ESR) and autoimmune markers (ANA, anti-CCP).

Main Results:

• The prevalence of post-COVID-19 arthritis was 37%, commonly affecting ankles, knees, and wrists.
• Higher pretreatment interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were observed in patients with arthritis.
• Old age, smoking, and arthralgia were associated risk factors; autoimmune markers showed no significant difference.

Conclusions:

• Post-COVID-19 arthritis appears to stem from a hyperinflammatory response rather than an autoimmune reaction.
• Pretreatment IL-6 levels are a significant predictor of post-COVID-19 arthritis, facilitating early management strategies.