Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus: key points from the COVID-19 era

The purpose of this work was to analyse published data on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) SARS-CoV-2 infection: susceptibility, post-infection autoimmune disease (AD) exacerbation, immunosuppressive therapies long COVID. Supported by PICO strategy, two independent reviewers conducted the research in PubMed/Medline database from January 2020 June 2022 included 16 articles RA, 25 MS 12 SLE. quality assessment studies performed using criteria National Institute Health. Patients with RA or SLE had increased susceptibility contracting SARS-CoV-2. It higher patients’ comorbidities. For MS, similar general population. Post-infection AD exacerbation occurred AR, an number hospitalisations deaths. Regarding therapies, use glucocorticoids (GC) associated a worsening infection. A more severe clinical picture anti-CD20 methylprednisolone MS. Considering COVID, patients risk complications opposite patients. There infection rheumatological diseases AR SLE, exacerbated age GC aggravated for antibodies use. In all there translated latter exception.