Relation between flu-like symptoms in immune-mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD) patients using immunosuppressive drugs during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can cause many symptoms and may trigger acute respiratory failure. The clinical manifestations have a wide range and, in general, immunocompromised patients are at increased risk of severe respiratory complications when contracting viral agents. Thus, the study focused on comparing flu-like symptoms in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs) with different treatments and those without rheumatic diseases (RDs), as a result of the current pandemic. METHODSA cohort study, as a part of Mario Pinotti's study, with patients and controls in the Federal District in the first semester of 2020, in which self-reported flu-like symptoms in telephonic interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In evaluating the effects of demographic and clinical characteristics on the number of flu or viral symptoms, the negative binomial regression model was used.