COVID-19 and Rheumatology

COVID-19 Impact: The Journal team is working extremely hard during this extraordinary time. We continue to adapt our business practices to COVID-19 developments and ensure delivery of our products and services. Subscribers can notify our Subscriptions Department of address changes to continue receiving our monthly print and online editions.

As well as continuing to receive submissions in rheumatology, we are also accepting submissions on COVID-19, and we are reviewing and preparing them for publication as soon as possible. You can access all articles here.

We are monitoring developments closely and will adhere to policies set forth by our health authorities. We will always give updates about any changes that will affect you, our valued customers and subscribers.

We promise to serve our community as best we can through this uncertain time, and we thank you for your continued support.

Stay safe!

Articles

The Rheumatologist's Role in COVID-19
Randy Q. Cron and W. Winn Chatham
The Journal of Rheumatology March 24 2020, jrheum.200334; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200334

  • The novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome; SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has spread rapidly throughout the planet. It is believed to have originated in the Wuhan province of China, but this highly contagious respiratory virus has spread to over 140 countries on 6 continents as of mid-March 2020, according to the World Health Organization. Worldwide, there have been over 164,000 cases identified and over 6500 deaths attributed to the viral infection...

Hydroxychloroquine: A Potential Ethical Dilemma for Rheumatologists during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Rosie Scuccimarri, Evelyn Sutton and Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
The Journal of Rheumatology April 2 2020, jrheum.200369; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200369

  • Two antimalarial agents, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), have been trusted treatments for a range of rheumatic diseases over the past seventy years [1]. These agents have attracted intense media attention in the past few weeks with suggestions that this category of drugs may have potential in the management of coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) associated disease called COVID-19...

Calling All Rheumatologists!
Vaneet Sandhu
The Journal of Rheumatology April 7 2020, jrheum.200421; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200421

  • These are difficult times. First responders are putting their lives at risk in order to save others'. But this is our profession; we chose to work in the healthcare industry, knowing our daily exposures to different people with diverse ailments. Nobody chose this profession thinking they would one day be part of a pandemic, fearing for their lives and those of their loved ones by proxy.

Learning from Adversity: Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis
Michael S. Putman and Eric M. Ruderman
The Journal of Rheumatology April 8 2020, jrheum.200411; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200411

  • One month into the COVID-19 crisis in the US, rheumatologists have begun to feel the effects of our hastily constructed temporary response plans. While we may not be staffing the front lines with our colleagues in emergency medicine and critical care, our patients are uniquely vulnerable to infection and continue to require care...

Possible Consequences of a Shortage of Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus Patients Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Christine A. Peschken
The Journal of Rheumatology April 8 2020, jrheum.200395; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200395

  • As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in North America, rheumatology clinics across the continent were inundated with phone calls from lupus patients understandably fearful of COVID-19. One of the most common questions from patients was whether they should stop taking their lupus medications...

The Plight of Patients with Lupus Nephritis in Wuhan, China
Cheng Chen, Biqing Yao, Miao Yan, Ke Su, Huiming Wang and Chuanhui Xu
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200452; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200452

  • The number of cases of SARS-CoV2 infection is rising rapidly globally. Severe disease and high fatality are observed in older patients and with comorbid conditions (1)...

Hydroxychloroquine in Patients with Rheumatic Disease Complicated by COVID-19: Clarifying Target Exposures and the Need for Clinical Trials
Stephen J. Balevic, Christoph P. Hornik, Thomas P. Green, Megan E.B. Clowse, Daniel Gonzalez, Anil R. Maharaj, Laura E. Schanberg, Amanda M. Eudy, Geeta K. Swamy, Brenna L. Hughes and Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200493; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200493

  • Objective: To characterize hydroxychloroquine exposure in patients with rheumatic disease receiving long-term hydroxychloroquine compared to target concentrations with reported antiviral activity against the 2019 coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 and Immunomodulatory Therapy — Can We Use Data from Previous Viral Pandemics?
Hannah Jethwa, Ann Sullivan and Sonya Abraham
The Journal of Rheumatology May 18 2020, jrheum.200527; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200527

  • The implications of COVID-19 are wide-ranging for specialties such as rheumatology in which immunomodulatory therapies are prescribed. There has been much trepidation among many healthcare professionals regarding the best course of management during this time.

Walk At Least 10 Minutes a Day for Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: Recommendation for Minimal Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jason T. Jakiela, Esther J. Waugh and Daniel K. White
The Journal of Rheumatology August 2020, jrheum.200914; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200914

  • The emergence of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in unprecedented changes in how the world socially interacts. Limits on contact with others, whether by social distancing or shelter-at-home recommendations, have negatively impacted physical activity (PA), which is especially true for adults over the age of 60 who are at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

Attitudes and Behaviors of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak
Margaret H.Y. Ma, Sen Hee Tay, Peter P.M. Cheung, Amelia Santosa, Yiong Huak Chan, James W.L. Yip, Anselm Mak and Manjari Lahiri
The Journal of Rheumatology September 15 2020, jrheum.200646; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200646

  • Objective: To evaluate attitudes and behaviors of patients with rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

COVID-19 in Patients With Connective Tissue Disease-related Interstitial Lung Disease
Linh Truong, Lila Pourzand and Elizabeth R. Volkmann
The Journal of Rheumatology September 15 2020, jrheum.201064; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.201064

  • Infection with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) manifests in a myriad of ways, ranging from asymptomatic disease to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Advanced age and underlying cardiovascular/pulmonary conditions appear to increase the risk for COVID-19 complications.

The Effect of HLA-B27 on Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19
James T. Rosenbaum, Hedley Hamilton, Michael H. Weisman, John D. Reveille, Kevin L. Winthrop and Dongseok Choi
The Journal of Rheumatology October 2020, jrheum.200939; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200939

  • Although many genes have polymorphisms, major histocompatibility complex genes are the most polymorphic. Many assume that the diversity of HLA increases the likelihood that a species can survive pandemics.

Giant Cell Arteritis and COVID-19: Similarities and Discriminators. A Systematic Literature Review
Puja Mehta, Sebastian E. Sattui, Kornelis van der Geest, Elisabeth Brouwer, Richard Conway, Michael S. Putman, Philip C. Robinson and Sarah L. Mackie
The Journal of Rheumatology October 15 2020, jrheum.200766; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200766

  • Objective: To identify shared and distinct features of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce diagnostic error that could cause delays in correct treatment.

Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Autoimmune Disease and COVID-19: A Matched Cohort Study from New York City
Adam S. Faye, Kate E. Lee, Monika Laszkowska, Judith Kim, John William Blackett, Anna S. McKenney, Anna Krigel, Jon T. Giles, Runsheng Wang, Elana J. Bernstein, Peter H.R. Green, Suneeta Krishnareddy, Chin Hur and Benjamin Lebwohl
The Journal of Rheumatology November 2020, jrheum.200989; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200989

  • Objective: To examine the impact of autoimmune disease on the composite outcome of intensive care unit admission, intubation, or death, from COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.

Concerns, Healthcare Use, and Treatment Interruptions in Patients with Common Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Michael George, Shilpa Venkatachalam, Shubhasree Banerjee, Joshua F. Baker, Peter A. Merkel, Kelly Gavigan, David Curtis, Maria I. Danila, Jeffrey R. Curtis and W. Benjamin Nowell
The Journal of Rheumatology November 2020, jrheum.201017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.201017

  • Objective: To assess concerns and healthcare-related behaviors of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 in Children with Rheumatic Diseases in the Spanish National Cohort EPICO-AEP
Cristina Calvo, Clara Udaondo and Rheumatic Diseases EPICO-AEP Working Group
The Journal of Rheumatology February 2021, jrheum.201548; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.201548

  • Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 infection in children is relatively mild. Approximately 10% of identified cases are pediatric[1], with a small proportion needing hospitalization. About 25-60% of children admitted with COVID-19 have comorbidities[2,3].

Re-thinking Physical Activity Promotion during COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on a 24-hour Day
Linda C. Li, Lynne M. Feehan and Alison M. Hoens
The Journal of Rheumatology February 2021, jrheum.201595; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.201595

  • Abstract: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. By mid-March, all Canadian provinces and territories declared states of emergency which triggered measures to support the response to the pandemic (1). Some of these measures have posed new barriers for people with arthritis to manage their health and daily activities.

Risk of severe coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases
Javier Bachiller-Corral, Alina Boteanu, Maria Jesus Garcia-Villanueva, Carlos de la Puente, Marcelino Revenga, M. Consuelo Diaz-Miguel, Ana Rodriguez-Garcia, Jose Luis Morell-Hita, Marta Valero, Carmen Larena, Maria Blazquez-Cañamero, Carlos A. Guillen-Astete, Sandra Garrote, Cristina Sobrino, Carmen Medina-Quiñones and Mónica Vazquez-DiazThe Journal of Rheumatology March 2021, jrheum.200755; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200755

  • Objective: To describe the cohort of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in our hospital and to determine the increased risk of severe coronavirus disease regarding no IRD patients.

Correspondence and Letters

Absence of severe complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with rheumatic diseases treated with biologic drugs
Giovanni Filocamo, Francesca Minoia, Simone Carbogno, Stefania Costi, Micol Romano and Rolando Cimaz for the Pediatric Rheumatology Group of the Milan Area
The Journal of Rheumatology April 2020, jrheum.200483; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200483

The Question of Whether to Remain on Therapy for Chronic Rheumatic Diseases in the Setting of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Randy Q. Cron and W. Winn Chatham
The Journal of Rheumatology April 2020, jrheum.200492; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200492

Evidence of Protective Effect of Hydroxychloroquine to Prevent COVID-19
Beuy Joob and Viroj Wiwanitkit
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200638; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200638

Dr. Balevic, et al, reply
Stephen J. Balevic, Christoph P. Hornik, Thomas P. Green, Megan E.B. Clowse, Daniel Gonzalez, Anil R. Maharaj, Laura E. Schanberg, Amanda M. Eudy, Geeta K. Swamy, Brenna L. Hughes and Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200681; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200681

SARS-CoV-2: Viral Mechanisms and Possible Therapeutic Targets – What to learn from Rheumatologists?
Carlos Antonio Mouraa and Ana Luísa Cerqueira de Sant’Ana Costa
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200657; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200657

Treating Covid-19 at the Inflection Point
W. Winn Chatham and Randy Q. Cron
The Journal of Rheumatology May 2020, jrheum.200679; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200679

No SLE with COVID-19 in Hong Kong: The Effect of Masking?
Ho So, Joyce Wing Yan Mak and Lai-shan Tam
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2020, jrheum.200605; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200605

Are Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19?
Ennio Giulio Favalli, Elena Agape and Roberto Caporali
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2020, jrheum.200723; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200723

Rheumatologists and Pulmonologists at Temple University Weather the COVID-19 Storm Together
Roberto Caricchio and Gerard J. Criner
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2020, jrheum.200740; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200740

Teamwork, A Novel Concept During an Infectious Pandemic?
Randy Q. Cron and W. Winn Chatham
The Journal of Rheumatology June 2020, jrheum.200744; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.200744

Infection or Autoimmunity? The Clinical Challenge of Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Martina Orlandi, Nicholas Landini, Cosimo Bruni, Stefano Colagrande, Marco Matucci-Cerinic and Musataka Kuwana
The Journal of Rheumatology December 2020, jrheum.200832; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.20083

  • The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a world emergency that may inevitably complicate the clinical scenario of interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc)1,2. The striking similarities in computed tomography (CT) between the 2 diseases make it difficult to distinguish a worsening of SSc-ILD from a COVID-19 superinfection2.

Contents

Author Interviews & Videos

Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Autoimmune Disease and COVID-19: A Matched Cohort Study From New York City
Adam S. Faye, Kate E. Lee, Monika Laszkowska, Judith Kim, John William Blackett, Anna S. McKenney, Anna Krigel, Jon T. Giles, Runsheng Wang, Elana J. Bernstein, Peter H.R. Green, Suneeta Krishnareddy, Chin Hur and Benjamin Lebwohl

Concerns, Healthcare Use, and Treatment Interruptions in Patients with Common Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Michael George, Shilpa Venkatachalam, Shubhasree Banerjee, Joshua F. Baker, Peter A. Merkel, Kelly Gavigan, David Curtis, Maria I. Danila, Jeffrey R. Curtis, and W. Benjamin Nowell

Attitudes and Behaviors of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak
Margaret H.Y. Ma, Sen Hee Tay, Peter P.M. Cheung, Amelia Santosa, Yiong Huak Chan, James W.L. Yip, Anselm Mak, and Manjari Lahiri

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Drs. Margaret H.Y. Ma, Rheumatology Consultant and Assistant Professor, and Manjari Lahiri, Senior Consultant, Rheumatology and Assistant Professor, National University Health System and National University of Singapore about their and their co-authors' article "Attitudes and Behaviors of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak". [Read the full transcript.]

Walk At Least 10 Minutes a Day for Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: Recommendation for Minimal Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jason T. Jakiela, Esther J. Waugh, and Daniel K. White

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Dr. Daniel K. White from the University of Delaware about his and his co-authors' editorial "Walk At Least 10 Minutes a Day for Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: Recommendation for Minimal Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic". [Read the full transcript.]

Rheumatologists and Pulmonologists at Temple University Weather the COVID-19 Storm Together
Roberto Caricchio and Gerard J. Criner

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Dr. Roberto Caricchio from Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University about his and his co-author's letter "Rheumatologists and Pulmonologists at Temple University Weather the COVID-19 Storm Together". [Read the full transcript.]

The Plight of Patients with Lupus Nephritis in Wuhan, China
Cheng Chen, Biqing Yao, Miao Yan, Ke Su, Huiming Wang and Chuanhui Xu

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Dr. Chuanhui Xu from Tan Tock Seng Hospital about his and his co-authors' letter "The Plight of Patients with Lupus Nephritis in Wuhan, China". [Read the full transcript.]

Hydroxychloroquine in Patients with Rheumatic Disease Complicated by COVID-19: Clarifying Target Exposures and the Need for Clinical Trials
Stephen J. Balevic, Christoph P. Hornik, Thomas P. Green, Megan E.B. Clowse, Daniel Gonzalez, Anil R. Maharaj, Laura E. Schanberg, Amanda M. Eudy, Geeta K. Swamy, Brenna L. Hughes and Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez

  • Dr. Stephen J. Balevic from Duke University School of Medicine presents their findings. [Read the author notes.]

Learning from Adversity: Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis
Michael S. Putman and Eric M. Ruderman

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Drs. Michael S. Putman and Eric M. Ruderman from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine about their editorial "Learning from Adversity: Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis". [Read the full transcript.]

Hydroxychloroquine: A Potential Ethical Dilemma for Rheumatologists during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Rosie Scuccimarri, Evelyn Sutton and Mary-Ann Fitzcharles

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Drs. Rosie Scuccimarri from McGill University, Evelyn Sutton from Dalhousie University, and Mary-Ann Fitzcharles from McGill University about their editorial "Hydroxychloroquine: A Potential Ethical Dilemma for Rheumatologists during the COVID-19 Pandemic". [Read the full transcript.]

Possible Consequences of a Shortage of Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus Patients Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Christine A. Peschken

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Dr. Christine A. Peschken from the University of Manitoba about her editorial "Possible Consequences of a Shortage of Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus Patients Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic". [Read the full transcript.]

The Rheumatologist's Role in COVID-19
Randy Q. Cron and W. Winn Chatham

  • Editor-in-Chief Dr. Earl Silverman speaks with Drs. Randy Cron and Winn Chatham from the University of Alabama at Birmingham about their article "The Rheumatologist's Role in COVID-19" and screening for cytokine storm syndrome among COVID-19 patients. [Read the full transcript.]