The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China (SARS-CoV-2) that began in December 2019 presents a significant and urgent threat to global health. This study was conducted to provide the international community with a deeper understanding of this new infectious disease. Epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory findings, radiological characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes of 135 patients in northeast Chongqing were collected and analyzed in this study. A total of 135 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. The median age was 47 years (interquartile range, 36-55), and there was no significant gender difference (53.3% men). The majority of patients had contact with people from the Wuhan area. Fortythree (31.9%) patients had underlying disease, primarily hypertension (13 [9.6%]), diabetes (12 [8.9%]), cardiovascular disease (7 [5.2%]), and malignancy (4 [3.0%]). Common symptoms included fever (120 [88.9%]), cough (102 [76.5%]), and fatigue (44 [32.5%]). Chest computed tomography scans showed bilateral patchy shadows or ground glass opacity in the lungs of all the patients. All patients received antiviral therapy (135 [100%]) (Kaletra and interferon were both used), antibacterial therapy (59 [43.7%]), and corticosteroids (36 [26.7%]). In addition, many patients received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (124 [91.8%]). It is suggested that patients should receive Kaletra early and should be treated by a combination of Western and Chinese medicines. Compared to the mild cases, the severe ones had lower Suxin Wan, Yi Xiang, and Wei Fang are the co-first authors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of bone marrow edema (BME) in sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with clinical characteristics and clinical response, and whether the quick decrease of BME could be served as a novel marker for dose tapering of etanercept in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.Ninety active AS patients underwent etanercept treatment for 6 months were enrolled consecutively and classified into standard dose group (n = 37) and dose tapering group (n = 53). BME in SIJ and clinical response were assessed by SPARCC criteria and ASAS 40 response criteria, respectively. “Quick decrease of BME in SIJ” was defined as the decrease of SPARCC score≥50% from M0 to M1.BME in SIJ was positively correlated with pain VAS score, BASDAI score, CRP, IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α levels. ASAS 40 response rate at M6 was lower in dose tapering group than standard dose group, while higher in patients with a quick decrease of BME in SIJ than other patients. Besides, the ASAS 40 response rate in dose tapering group was similar to standard dose group in patients with a quick decrease of BME in SIJ but was lower than standard dose group in patients without a quick decrease of BME in SIJ at M6.A quick decrease of BME in SIJ predicts better treatment response to etanercept, and it might be served as a novel marker for dose tapering initiation of etanercept in AS patients.

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