The impact of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center in Catalonia

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare it to that described in the general population. Methods For 5 weeks, we carried out a cross-sectional study consisting of telephone interviews of SLE patients. We collected epidemiological data, symptoms suggesting COVID-19, results of nasopharyngeal swabs, and ongoing treatments. In those patients who required hospital admission, clinical, radiological, and laboratory features, and outcome were investigated. Results Four hundred patients with SLE completed the survey. Overall, 4 (1.00%, 95%CI 0.02–1.98) patients were classified as confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 26 (6.51%, 95%CI 4.08–8.94) as possible clinical cases. The incidence of confirmed cases in our series was similar to that of the Catalan population (1.00% versus 0.63%; p = 0.456), whereas the incidence of possible cases was higher in our series (6.51% versus 1.29%; p < 0.005). The only difference between SLE patients with confirmed and possible COVID-19 and those without was the percentage of patients who have had contact with a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19 (26.7% versus 9.2%; p = 0.003) Conclusions The incidence of COVID-19 in SLE patients with inactive disease is low and, in our series, all cases with confirmed infection recovered. Key Points • In a cohort of SLE patients with stable and clinical inactive disease, the incidence of COVID-19 is low. • All SLE patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection recovered.

Antibody development and disease severity of COVID-19 in non-immunised patients with rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: data from a prospective cohort study

“…Although varying incidence rates have been observed, most studies reported similar or lower incidences for COVID-19 in patients compared with controls. 21–23 These findings correspond with our own results, and are in line with our earlier observation that patients are less likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 compared with the general population due to stricter adherence to social distancing measures. 24 Results of studies investigating the risk of patients with rheumatic diseases to develop severe COVID-19 manifestations, such as hospital/ICU admission or death, have been contradictory as well.…”

“…Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic autoimmune disease have been published. Although varying incidence rates have been observed, most studies reported similar or lower incidences for COVID-19 in patients compared with controls 21–23. These findings correspond with our own results, and are in line with our earlier observation that patients are less likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 compared with the general population due to stricter adherence to social distancing measures 24.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on hospitalization of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

“…There was only one SLE patient who was admitted with COVID-19, and she was discharged well. This concurred with the study by Espinosa G et al [ 3 ] which showed that the incidence of COVID-19 is low in a cohort of SLE patients with stable and clinical inactive disease and all SLE patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in their study recovered.…”

Kidney implications of SARS-CoV2 infection in children

“…The study was limited by the self-reporting nature of participating nephrologists but demonstrated that those impacted with SARS-CoV2 had similar reassuring rates of hospitalization, need for respiratory support, and mortality as children not treated with chronic immunosuppression [ 53 ]. Surveys have been done of adult patients with SLE that suggest similar infection rates and severity levels as those without SLE, but as yet there are no pediatric reports [ 54 ]. All of these studies are limited by enrollment bias, reporter bias, and the cross-sectional nature of the reports, not to mention that they are reports from the earlier waves which do not include newer virus variants that seem to have disproportionate effects in children.…”