Abstract | BACKGROUND: Different proportions of musculoskeletal or autoimmune manifestations associated with COVID-19 have been reported in literature. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis with the aim of assessing the prevalence of rheumatic manifestations in patients affected by COVID-19, as initial symptom or during disease course. METHODS: A database search was run on May 18th, 2020, using two distinct strategies. We were interested in the percentage of symptoms of potential rheumatologic interest observed in large population studies of COVID-19 cases, and in identifying uncommon autoimmune disorders described in patients with COVID-19. For manifestations individually reported, a meta-analysis was performed taking into consideration the proportion of COVID-19 patients presenting the symptom. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our review and meta-analysis emphasises that symptoms potentially leading to rheumatologic referral are common in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, COVID-19 is a new differential diagnosis to bear in mind when evaluating patients with musculoskeletal symptoms and rheumatologists might play a crucial role in identifying COVID-19 cases in early phases of the illness.
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Authors | Jacopo Ciaffi, Riccardo Meliconi, Piero Ruscitti, Onorina Berardicurti, Roberto Giacomelli, Francesco Ursini |
Journal | BMC rheumatology
(BMC Rheumatol)
Vol. 4
Pg. 65
( 2020)
ISSN: 2520-1026 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 33123675
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © The Author(s) 2020. |