People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at a higher risk for infections, including COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has caused the current worldwide pandemic. COVID-19 is a highly infectious virus that spreads through airborne respiratory droplets. A study identified 582 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 2875 matched comparators, all of whom had COVID-19 within the study dates. The mean age of those with rheumatoid arthritis was 62 [SD 14] years, 421 (72%) of 582 were women, and 161 (28%) were men, 457 (79%) were White, 65 (11%) were Hispanic or Latino, and 41 (7%) were Black.
People with rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of some complications with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Abstract Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its treatments are associated with an increased risk of infection, but it remains unclear whether these factors have an impact on the risk or severity of COVID-19.
In COVID-19, the pivotal cytokines that provoke severe disease in the lung are similar to those usually targeted by drugs used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Although COVID-19 is not yet considered as a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis, this similarity has led to the suspicion that COVID-19 might be a risk factor for inducing a rheumatoid arthritis flare. Recently, arthralgia and …
People with rheumatoid arthritis may be considered in a higher-risk group for potential COVID-19 complications, although there is not yet a large amount of data on the RA patient population to know how patients fare when infected with coronavirus compared to people without RA.
One of the largest studies to assess COVID-19 infection risks among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found that they were 25 percent more likely than non-RA patients to develop COVID. Learn more about our FREE COVID-19 Patient Support Program for chronic illness patients and their loved ones. Credit: Tatiana Ayazo
A: So far, studies don’t seem to show that people with inflammatory arthritis are more likely to have COVID-19 complications, but having additional health conditions like obesity and diabetes or high disease activity may increase the risk. To help manage arthritis and other health problems, get plenty of sleep and daily exercise, and stick to …
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk of acquiring infections owing to immunologic dysfunction and use of potent immunomodulatory medications. However, few data are available on their risk of COVID‐19. We estimated the rate of COVID‐19 among RA participants and compared it with that of the general population.
Verywell Health
The Lancet Rheumatology
Healthline
PubMed
The Lancet Rheumatology
CreakyJoints
CreakyJoints
Arthritis Foundation
NCBI
