COVID-19 and Rheumatology

• Published in: JK science : journal of medical education and research Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1 - 2
• Main Authors: Bhatia, Ansh, Gupta1, Latika, Agarwal1, Vikas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jammu JK Science, Journal of Medical Education & Research 01-01-2021; Dr. Annil Mahajan
• Subjects: Arthritis; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cutaneous vasculitis; Cytokines; Infections; Medical research; Open access publishing; Pandemics; Rheumatic diseases; Rheumatic disorders; Rheumatology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Thrombosis; Viral infections; Viruses
• ISSN: 0972-1177

At times, unusual presentations may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of an idiopathic vasculitis, connective tissue disorders, or hyperinflammatory syndromes of unclear origin in the event of false-negative COVID-19 PCR. [...]it is imperative to maintain a high degree of clinical suspicion during the pandemic period and actively look out for relatively specific signs of COVID-19 like anosmia for timely diagnosis. On occasion, classic dermatomyositis-like presentations, replete with classic rashes have been reported, raising the case for de novo virus-triggered autoimmune disease. [...]similarities are seen between anti MDA5 antibody-associated muscle-lung syndromes and COVID-19 since both involve a 'cytokine storm' (a maladaptive overproduction of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL6, and TNF-alpha) and ultimately diffuse alveolar damage (the clinical presentation being acute respiratory distress syndrome) with similar radiological and histological findings (5). While immunosuppressive therapy has had mixed results in the management of COVID-19, corticosteroids have come to the forefront of this battle with a decrease in mortality in hospitalized patients with severe COVID19 Even though COVID-19 is an acute disease, some effects last greater than 3 months or even longer in nearly three-quarters of those afflicted with the virus.