Abstract
Introduction: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought on challenges not only to acute care, but also chronic care of patients. Individuals maintained on immunosuppression appear to be especially susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) frequently require immunosuppression and may be at increased risk for developing COVID-19. The incidence and impact of COVID-19 on patients with AAV is currently not known. We aimed to investigate this impact via a telephone questionnaire-based patient survey and chart review.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of AAV patients followed at two centers was conducted. Data regarding demographics, disease characteristics and therapy were confirmed by chart review. A telephone survey was conducted to ascertain symptoms and contact exposure related to COVID-19, as well as changes in health care delivery during the pandemic period between January and July, 2020.
Results: Of the 206 patients surveyed, the median age was 64 years, 51% were female and mean (SD) disease duration was 7 (5) years. The majority had kidney (n = 160) and lung (n = 108) involvement. Seventy-five percent (n = 155) were receiving immunosuppression, with 77 patients (50%) receiving rituximab during the pandemic period. Of the 10 patients tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) by PCR, three were positive. Patients had a significant disruption in care; none had an in-person visit and 69% had a telemedicine consultation. Rituximab maintenance was postponed in 21 patients. Twelve patients experienced disease relapse.
Conclusion: The incidence of COVID-19 in patients with AAV appears to be similar to that of the general population. For a patient population that requires active clinical surveillance, there is significant disruption in care as a result of the pandemic. Reduction of immunosuppression may not be indicated, and the risk of relapse likely far outweighs the risk of COVID-19.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, coronavirus, pandemic, therapy, cross-sectional, Immunosuppression, lung, risk, Symptom, rituximab, kidney, Health, PCR, Characteristics, Surveillance, COVID-19 infection, female, Patient, Vasculitis, age, General population, incidence, Coronavirus 2019, disease, Care, patients, Contact, demographics, acute respiratory syndrome, increased risk, individual, telemedicine consultation, positive, patient population, susceptible, risk of COVID-19, tested, indicated, conducted, receiving, appear, majority, changes in, in-person visit, incidence of COVID-19, the median, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19 pandemic, Patient, Vasculitis,