Illuminating the connection: Unearthing the mechanisms linking COVID‐19 and rheumatoid arthritis

Increasing autoimmune rheumatic diseases as a consequence of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A hypothesis or fact?

“…In the immediate post‐pandemic period, the global upsurge of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) has been observed among COVID‐19 survivors and those exposed to COVID‐19 vaccinations. The mainstream rheumatology sources including the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases (IJRD) have taken the lead in discussing and clarifying plausible associations between COVID‐19 and autoimmunity 1,2 . Importantly, this year's Annual European Congress of Rheumatology arranged a special session titled “Can COVID‐19 induce autoimmunity and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases?” (EULAR 2023 Debate, June 2023).…”

“…Importantly, this year's Annual European Congress of Rheumatology arranged a special session titled “Can COVID‐19 induce autoimmunity and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases?” (EULAR 2023 Debate, June 2023). The latest editorial in IJRD has uncovered the association of COVID‐19 with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 1 and referred to our study of definite RA after exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 3 …”