Incidence of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

Ahn, Soo Min; Eun, Sang-Won; Ji, Sunghwan; Hong, Sungeun; Lee, Chang‐Keun; Yoo, Bin; Oh, Ji Seon

doi:10.3904/kjim.2022.135

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…As for (2), up to now, existing studies have observed an increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic (Pascolini et al 2021 ), but no studies support the significant increase in the number of SLE patients. A study in Korea even found that the annual incidence rate of SLE in the population has declined (Ahn et al 2023 ). Some studies have found a significant increase in hospitalization rates for SLE patients (Cordtz, et al 2021 ; Schioppo et al 2022 ) and that the prognostic risk and mortality rates of SLE patients with COVID-19 are significantly higher than those of the general population, supporting (3) (Bournia et al 2023 ; Mageau et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-omics analysis uncovered systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 crosstalk

Nian,

Mao,

et al. 2024

Mol Med

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Background Studies have highlighted a possible crosstalk between the pathogeneses of COVID-19 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, the interactive mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 on SLE using clinical information and the underlying mechanisms of both diseases. Methods RNA-seq datasets were used to identify shared hub gene signatures between COVID-19 and SLE, while genome-wide association study datasets were used to delineate the interaction mechanisms of the key signaling pathways. Finally, single-cell RNA-seq datasets were used to determine the primary target cells expressing the shared hub genes and key signaling pathways. Results COVID-19 may affect patients with SLE through hematologic involvement and exacerbated inflammatory responses. We identified 14 shared hub genes between COVID-19 and SLE that were significantly associated with interferon (IFN)-I/II. We also screened and obtained four core transcription factors related to these hub genes, confirming the regulatory role of the IFN-I/II-mediated Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway on these hub genes. Further, SLE and COVID-19 can interact via IFN-I/II and IFN-I/II receptors, promoting the levels of monokines, including interleukin (IL)-6/10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IFN-γ, and elevating the incidence rate and risk of cytokine release syndrome. Therefore, in SLE and COVID-19, both hub genes and core TFs are enriched within monocytes/macrophages. Conclusions The interaction between SLE and COVID-19 promotes the activation of the IFN-I/II-triggered JAK-STAT signaling pathway in monocytes/macrophages. These findings provide a new direction and rationale for diagnosing and treating patients with SLE–COVID-19 comorbidity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-omics analysis uncovered systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 crosstalk

Nian,

Mao,

et al. 2024

Mol Med

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“…It can be hypothesized that higher levels of urate leading to increased gout flares during the pandemic were due to decreased use of urate-lowering therapies due to the fear of seeing physicians during the pandemic [ 9 ]. In addition, the diagnosis of gout and other rheumatic diseases declined during the pandemic due to lockdowns, social distancing, and patient concerns about coming into physician offices [ 11 ].…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, in the study by Ahn et al evaluating disease severity in the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Database may have not been accurately reflected due to registered diagnosis codes. In addition, it is difficult to evaluate changes in incidence in chronic diseases over the course of one year [ 11 ]. There are limited studies available to correlate gout, uric acid levels and COVID-19 infection.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, patients with gout experienced higher urate levels. Lifestyle changes and increased fear associated with seeing physicians due to fear of contracting COVID-19 infection led to worsening of chronic diseases such as gout [8][9][10][11]. In one study, the investigators demonstrated patients with gout had nine times more gout flares and higher levels of urate during the pandemic [10].…”

Section: Impact Of Covid-19 On Gout Flares Diagnosis and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Relationship of SARS-CoV-2 and Uric Acid Levels With a Focus on Gout Patients: A Scoping Review

Patel,

Basra,

Muralidhar

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Rheumatic diseases are a group of conditions including arthritis and various other conditions that can lead to chronic inflammation within the musculoskeletal system, which can have negative effects on soft tissues, bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissue. One form of arthritis is gout, which is an inflammatory condition in which urate acid crystals build up in joints. Gout is associated with joint swelling, pain, redness, and joint mobility issues. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent joint degradation and other adverse complications. The condition has been shown to increase the incidence of diseases outside the musculoskeletal system, including the renal and cardiovascular systems. Comorbid conditions associated with gout include but are not limited to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and heart failure. This systematic review aims to provide insight into the relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, uric acid levels, and gout.

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“…Ahn et al showed that the incidence of rheumatic diseases, specifically inflammatory myositis (DM/PM), SLE, and Behçet's disease, decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic15 ; the proposed reasons for this were the reduction in healthcare utilization and implementation of non-pharmacological interventions such as mask-wearing 15. …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence if autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases after COVID‐19 in South Korea: A nationwide cohort study based on health insurance data

Lee,

Kim,

Jeon

et al. 2024

Int J of Rheum Dis

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Many medical issues have arisen in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which was caused by SARS-CoV-2.The risk of thromboembolism increased after SARS-CoV-2 infection, as did the mortality rate. [1][2][3] Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infection has many sequelae, including immune, nervous, cardiac, respiratory, renal, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal abnormalities. 4 A recent study from Hong Kong reported that COVID-19 increased the risk of developing autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and vasculitis 5 ; however, the hazard ratio (HR) for AIRDs such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) did not increase significantly in those with COVID-19. 5 Viral infection, a known environmental trigger, can cause AIRDs through several mechanisms, including molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and bystander activation 6 ; however, additional clinical data are required to clarify the association between infection by SARS-CoV-2 and the occurrence of AIRDs.Here, we used Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data to compare the incidence of AIRDs between those with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and those without. | MATERIAL S AND ME THODS | Data source and the study populationReimbursement claims data were obtained from the Korean NHIS database; the NHIS covers 97.2% of the Korean population. The National Health Information Database collects NHIS data, including all healthcare-related information such as health screening, socioeconomic and demographic variables, mortality data, diagnoses, and associated procedures and prescriptions, all of which are identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes, as well as Korean Drug and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Codes for the entire population. 7 Data from patients who were tested for COVID-19 by RT-PCR (nasal or pharyngeal swabs) from January 2020 to December 2021 were extracted from the NHIS database (approval no. NHIS-2023-1-479) and then divided into COVID-19 PCR (+) and (−) groups. Participants who had ICD-10 codes for AIRDs prior to the COVID-19 PCR assay, or lacked demographic data, were excluded. The index date was the day on which the COVID-19 PCR test was performed, and the end of the follow-up was dated as follows: (1) March 31, 2022, (2) the date on which the first ICD-10 code for AIRDs was issued, or (3) the expired date. In the case of multiple AIRDs codes, the first AIRD code date was taken as the end of follow-up. When individual subjects had undergone multiple COVID-19 PCR assays, the first COVID-19 PCR assay date was used as the index date for the COVID-19 PCR (−) group, and the date of the positive COVID-19 PCR test was used for the COVID-19 PCR (+) group. When the participant was negative for COVID-19 PCR initially and then converted to positive in the latter COVID-19 PCR test, this participant was included in the COVID-19 PCR (+) group, and the index date was ...

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Incidence of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

Cited by 9 publications

References 19 publications

Multi-omics analysis uncovered systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 crosstalk

Multi-omics analysis uncovered systemic lupus erythematosus and COVID-19 crosstalk

Exploring the Relationship of SARS-CoV-2 and Uric Acid Levels With a Focus on Gout Patients: A Scoping Review

Incidence if autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases after COVID‐19 in South Korea: A nationwide cohort study based on health insurance data

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