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. 2021 Dec;8(4):1887-1895.
doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00373-1. Epub 2021 Sep 16.

Antirheumatic Drug Intake Influence on Occurrence of COVID-19 Infection in Ambulatory Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Cohort Study

Debellemanière Guillaume  1 , Bouvet Magalie  1 , Elahi Sina  1 , Salah-Mabed Imène  1 , Vayr Frédéric  1 , Dubois Mathieu  1 , Muselier Aurore  1 , Gozlan Yoni  1 , Elbaz Emma  1 , Badatcheff Charlotte  1 , Fabre Laura  1 , Saad Alain  1 , Nahaisi Steven  1 , Zeboulon Pierre  1 , Febbraro Jean-Luc  1 , Courtin Romain  1 , Grise-Dulac Alice  1 , Mazharian Adrien  1 , Ghazal Wassim  1 , Remongin Pierre-Emmanuel  1 , Panthier Christophe  1 , Chirouze Catherine  2 , Bertrand Kevin #  3 , Sené Thomas #  1 , Gatinel Damien  4
Affiliations

Antirheumatic Drug Intake Influence on Occurrence of COVID-19 Infection in Ambulatory Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Cohort Study

Debellemanière Guillaume et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to study the prevalence of a history of COVID-19 infection among patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and the potential influence of long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) intake.

Methods: We performed an observational monocentric cohort study at the Adolphe de Rothschild Foundation Hospital ophthalmology division (Paris, France). Electronic medical records (EMR) data were searched for keywords associated with SLE, RA, SjS, or PsA. Patients were contacted by phone and were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a positive COVID-19 test result during the study period. We determined the adjusted association between various antirheumatic drugs intake, COVID-19 risk factors, and occurrence of COVID-19 using a logistic regression model. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04345159).

Results: Patients were recruited between Apr 17, 2020, and Apr 30, 2020 and were recontacted between Oct 6, 2020, and Nov 2, 2020. A total of 569 patients were included, of whom 459 patients were eligible for data analysis. One hundred and eighty-one patients were treated with long-term HCQ and 18 patients had tested positive for COVID-19. No antirheumatic drug intake, including HCQ intake, was significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing COVID-19 infection.

Conclusions: No antirheumatic drug intake was associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing COVID-19 infection in our cohort of patients suffering from immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Antirheumatic drugs; Hydroxychloroquine; Psoriatic arthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Sjögren’s syndrome; Systemic lupus erythematosus.

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