“…In adjusted models, SLE individuals on RTX experienced worst outcomes regarding hospitalization and ventilation compared to reference group (SLE patients only on antimalarials) (OR 1.69). Similar results were obtained for mechanical ventilation and death [ 80 •, 110 – 112 , 113 •]. This increased risk for a more severe COVID-19 course has been confirmed also in various cohorts of patients with other systemic autoimmune diseases treated with RTX, including systemic sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, owing to the blunted humoral immune response conferred by B-cell depleting action [ 88 •, 113 •, 114 – 116 ], with this risk being higher shortly after RTX infusion.…”