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Aims:Rheumatological disease flares may occur after many infections. However, our knowledge of the post-Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) flares and related factors is limited.Methods:We retrospectively assessed the axial SpA patients who had COVID-19. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the medical records. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was applied via telephone for pre- and post-COVID-19 SpA symptoms. An increase of ≥2 points in the BASDAI score or any new extra-articular manifestations were defined as SpA flares and SpA patients were grouped as flares and no-flare. Factors predicting SpA flare were also analyzed.Results:A total of 48 axial SpA patients were included in the study [age, mean±standard deviation (SD): 42.3±8.6 years; male: 65%]. Post-COVID-19 SpA flare was identified in 19 patients (40%), and new extra-articular manifestations were recorded in 6 patients (13%). Although the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease was more common in the flare group, the difference was not significant compared with that of the no-flare group. Other features of SpA and COVID-19 disease severity were similar between the flare and no-flare groups. In the flare group, the frequency of back pain (84% vs. 62%, p=0.091) and diarrhea (53% vs. 28%, p=0.080), and headache (84% vs. 52%, p=0.021) were higher than the no-flare group. No risk factor for a post-COVID-19 SpA flare could be identified.Conclusions:Post-COVID-19 flare was common in the axial SpA, and even new extra-articular manifestations could be reported. Although some clinical manifestations of COVID-19 were more common in patients with a flare, any predictive factor could not be identified among the study variables.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate post-COVID-19 antibody titers in patients who received convalescent plasma (CP) in addition to standard-of-care treatment. Materials and Methods: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received CP in addition to standard care were retrospectively investigated. Patients who received CP with a recorded total COVID-19 antibody test result after treatment were included. From among hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received only standard care with a recorded total COVID-19 antibody test result, a control group matched for age, gender, and comorbidities was formed. Total COVID-19 antibody index levels were compared. Results: Thirty-three CP recipients were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 34 age-, gender-, and comorbiditymatched standard-care patients. Median total COVID-19 antibody index levels were significantly reduced in the CP group. Conclusion: Although CP therapy may have benefits for disease outcome, its potential ability to hamper long-term immunity may be a problem.