COVID-19: the new challenge for rheumatologists. One year later.

Abstract

At the beginning of COVID-19, we underlined that this pandemic was a new challenge for rheumatologists. On the one hand, it was necessary to clarify the impact of this new viral disease on the natural history of many rheumatic diseases and, on the other hand, to define the beneficial or harmful effects of the synthetic or targeted therapies used for their treatment. In addition, we have postulated that in view of the common pathogenetic mechanisms involved, the therapeutic armamentarium currently employed in the management of viral or idiopathic systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases could be useful to control the "cytokine storm" induced by SARS-COV-2. One year later, in the present review we have analysed the progress of the knowledge on both these aspects and updated the algorithms initially proposed for a rational use of the synthetic and targeted anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents in the management of COVID-19.

• Authors: Ilaria Puxeddu, Francesco Ferro, Elena Bartoloni, Elena Elefante, Chiara Baldini, Carlo Alberto Scirè, Rosaria Talarico, Paola Migliorini, Marta Mosca, Stefano Bombardieri
• Journal: Clinical and experimental rheumatology (Clin Exp Rheumatol) 2021 Jan-Feb Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. 203-213 ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 33555253 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• COVID-19
• Cytokine Release Syndrome
• Humans
• Pandemics
• Rheumatologists
• SARS-CoV-2