Joint pain and arthralgia can be manifestations of COVID-19, and studies evaluating long COVID symptoms identified the persistence of these disorders. Moreover, some case reports highlighted the development of new inflammatory arthritis in patients with COVID-19, suggesting a possible relation. Viral infections and rheumatic diseases share a documented relationship; they have been associated with genetic and environmental risk factors responsible for some of them. There is crosstalk between viruses and the immune system during the development of several rheumatic diseases. Moreover, infections may participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases and contribute to patient mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to provide a clearer insight into the interaction between viral infections and rheumatic diseases. Here, we provide a mini-review of the current literature with the aim of shedding light on the relationship between COVID-19 and rheumatic or musculoskeletal diseases, which is still unclear. Specifically, we examined several aspects: risk for the rheumatic population of acquiring the virus or developing severe symptoms, similarities of COVID-19 and arthritis, the possible rheumatic consequence of COVID-19, of rheumatic drugs and vaccines, and COVID-19 prevention in rheumatic patients through vaccination.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.997876 | DOI Listing |
Ann Rheum Dis
January 2025
Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
The increasing prevalence of autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases (AIMDs) underscores the need to understand environmental factors that contribute to their pathogenesis, with the microbiome emerging as a key player. Despite significant advancements in understanding how the microbiome influences physiological and inflammatory responses, translating these findings into clinical practice remains challenging. This viewpoint reviews the progress and obstacles in microbiome research related to AIMDs, examining molecular techniques that enhance our understanding of microbial contributions to disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Rheum Dis
January 2025
Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a considerable disease burden with life-long physical limitations, reduced work productivity and high societal costs. Trials on arthralgia at-risk for RA are therefore conducted, aiming to intercept evolving RA and reduce the disease burden. A 1-year course of methotrexate in patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) caused sustained improvements in subclinical joint inflammation and physical impairments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Rheum Dis
January 2025
Rheumatology Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Objectives: To compare two strategies-a hydrocortisone replacement strategy and a prednisone tapering strategy-for their success in glucocorticoid discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with low disease activity (LDA).
Methods: The Strategies for glucocorticoid TApering in Rheumatoid arthritis (STAR) study was a double- blind, double-placebo randomised controlled trial including patients with RA receiving a stable dose of glucocorticoid 5 mg/day for ≥3 months and were in LDA for ≥3 months. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either replace prednisone with 20 mg/day of hydrocortisone for 3 months, then reduce to 10 mg/day for 3 months before discontinuation or to taper prednisone by 1 mg/day every month until complete discontinuation, contingent on maintaining LDA.
Ann Rheum Dis
January 2025
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:
Objectives: The usefulness of methotrexate-polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) concentration for management of rheumatoid arthritis has been debated. We aimed to clarify the association of MTX-PGs concentration with efficacy and safety in MTX-naïve patients initiating MTX in a prospective interventional clinical trial.
Methods: The MIRACLE trial enrolled 300 MTX-naïve patients.
Ann Rheum Dis
January 2025
Department of Rheumatology, Université Paris Cité UFR de Médecine, Paris, France.
Objectives: To update the 2017 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), incorporating new evidence and therapies.
Methods: An international task force was convened in line with EULAR standard operating procedures. A nominal group technique exercise was performed in two rounds to define questions underpinning a subsequent systematic literature review.
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