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ObjectivesTo describe patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) who had COVID-19 disease; to compare patients who required hospital admission with those who did not and assess risk factors for hospital admission related to COVID-19.MethodsAn observational longitudinal study was conducted during the pandemic peak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (1 March 2020 to 24 April). All patients attended at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain with a medical diagnosis of AIRD and with symptomatic COVID-19 were included. The main outcome was hospital admission related to COVID-19. The covariates were sociodemographic, clinical and treatments. We ran a multivariable logistic regression model to assess risk factors for the hospital admission.ResultsThe study population included 123 patients with AIRD and COVID-19. Of these, 54 patients required hospital admission related to COVID-19. The mean age on admission was 69.7 (15.7) years, and the median time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was 5 (3–10) days. The median length of stay was 9 (6–14) days. A total of 12 patients died (22%) during admission. Compared with outpatients, the factors independently associated with hospital admission were older age (OR: 1.08; p=0.00) and autoimmune systemic condition (vs chronic inflammatory arthritis) (OR: 3.55; p=0.01). No statistically significant findings for exposure to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were found in the final model.ConclusionOur results suggest that age and having a systemic autoimmune condition increased the risk of hospital admission, whereas disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were not associated with hospital admission.

OBJECTIVESTo describe persistent symptoms and consequences in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) discharged from the hospital after Covid-19; to assess the roll of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) compared to and non-autoimmune rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (NARD) on persistent symptoms and consequences.METHODSWe performed a cross-sectional observational study. RMD attended at a rheumatology outpatient clinic in Madrid with Covid-19 that required hospital admission were included. The main outcomes were persistence of symptoms and health consequences related to Covid19 after discharge. Independent variable was RMD group (ARD and NARD) and covariates were sociodemographic, clinical, and treatments. We ran a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the risk by RMD group on main outcomes.RESULTSWe included 105 patients and 51.5% had ARD. 68.57% reported at least one persistent symptom. The most frequent were dyspnea, fatigue, and chest pain. 31 patients had consequences. Lung damage was found in 11.4% of the patients, 18% had blood test abnormalities (10% lymphopenia), two died, one developed central retinal vein occlusion and one patient developed optic neuritis. 11 patients required readmission due to Covid-19 problems (16.7% ARD vs 3.9% NARD; p=0.053). No statistically significant differences by RMD groups were found in the final models.CONCLUSIONMany RMD patients have persistent symptoms, similar to other populations. This study also highlights that lung damage is the most frequent consequence. ARD compared to NARD does not seem to differ in terms of persistent symptoms or consequences, although ARD might have a greater number of readmissions due to Covid-19.

Aims: To analyze the association between colchicine prescription and COVID-19-related hospital admissions in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Methods: Patients attending a rheumatology outpatient clinic from a tertiary care center in Madrid, Spain, from 1 September 2019 to 29 February 2020 were included. Patients were assigned as exposed or unexposed based on whether they were prescribed with colchicine in their last visit to the clinic during the 6 months before the start of the observation period. Treatment changes during the observation period were also considered. The primary outcome was COVID-19-related hospital admissions between 1 March and 20 May 2020. Secondary outcome included COVID-19-related mortality. Several weighting techniques for data balancing, based and non-based on the propensity score, followed by Cox regressions were performed to estimate the association of colchicine prescription on both outcomes. Discussion: The number of patients entered in the study was 9379, with 406 and 9002 exposed and unexposed follow-up periods, respectively. Generalized Boosted Models (GBMs) and Empirical Balancing Calibration Weighting (EBCW) methods showed the best balance for COVID-19-related hospital admissions. Colchicine prescription did not show a statistically significant association after covariable balancing ( p-value = 0.195 and 0.059 for GBM and EBCW, respectively). Regarding mortality, the low number of events prevented a success variable balancing and analysis. Conclusion: Colchicine prescription does not play a significant protective or risk role in RMD patients regarding COVID-19-related hospital admissions. Our observations could support the maintenance of colchicine prescription in those patients already being treated, as it is not associated with a worse prognosis. Plain language title: Colchicine influence in COVID-19-related hospital admissions

Background: In this pandemia, it is essential for rheumatologist and patients to know the relationship between COVID-19 and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). We want to assess the role of targeted synthetic or biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (ts/bDMARDs) and other variables in the development of moderate-severe COVID-19 disease in IRD. Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted (1stMar to 15thApr 2020). All patients from the rheumatology outpatient clinic from a hospital in Madrid with a medical diagnosis of IRD were included. Main outcome: hospital admission related to COVID-19. Independent variable: ts/bDMARDs. Covariates: sociodemographic, comorbidities, type of IRD diagnosis, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs and conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Incidence rate (IR) of hospital admission related to COVID-19, was expressed per 1,000 patients-month. Cox multivariate regression analysis was run to examine the influence of ts/bDMARDs and other covariates on IR. Results: 3,591 IRD patients were included (5,896 patients-month). Concerning csDMARDs, methotrexate was the most used followed by antimalarials. 802 patients were on ts/bDMARDs, mainly anti-TNF agents, and rituximab. Hospital admissions related to COVID-19 occurred in 54 patients (1.36%) with an IR of 9.15 [95%CI: 7-11.9]. In the multivariate analysis, older, male gender, presence of comorbidities and specific systemic autoimmune conditions (Sjoegren, polychondritis, Raynaud and mixed connective tissue disease) had more risk of hospital admissions regardless other factors. Exposition to ts/bDMARDs did not achieve statistical signification. Use of glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and csDMARDs dropped from the final model. Conclusion: This study provides additional evidence in IRD patients regarding susceptibility to moderate-severe infection related to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To describe patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) who had COVID-19; to compare patients who need hospital admission versus those that did not and assess risk factors of hospital admission related to COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study, from 1st March 2020 until the 24th of April. All patients being attended at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital of Madrid, with medical diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic disease, and with symptomatic COVID-19 disease were included. Main variable was the hospital admission related to COVID-19. Covariates: sociodemographic, clinical and treatments. We performed a multivariate logistic regression model to assess risk factors of hospital admission. RESULTS: 123 patients with IRD and COVID-19 disease were identified and included. We found 54 patients that need hospital admission, 59.2% were women, with a mean age at hospital admission of 69.7 (15.7) years, and a median lag time from symptoms onset to hospital admission of 5 (3-10) days. The median length of stay was 9 (6-14) days. A total of 12 patients died (22%) during their hospital admission. Factors independently associated with hospital admission were being older (OR 1.08; p=0.00), and type of diagnosis (OR 3.55; p=0.01), compared to those who were ambulatory. DMARDs dropped from the model. Male sex, associated comorbidities and glucocorticoids use showed a tendency risk (p

Background:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), triggers the innate immune system, leading in severe cases, an excessive immune response, which can lead to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting a “cytokine storm”.To modulate this exaggerated inflammatory response, several clinical trials with already approved and well-known therapeutic agents that inhibit the inflammatory response, are being carried out. However, none of these drugs seems to achieve the desired results when treating COVID19.Colchicine, a drug often used in the management of patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), is one of the several drugs that are being currently tested for efficacy in COVID19 due to its anti-inflammatory effects.Objectives:To analyze association between colchicine prescription and COVID19-related hospital admissions in patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).Methods:Patients attending a rheumatology outpatient clinic from a tertiary care center in Madrid, Spain, from 1st September 2019 to 29th February 2020 were included.Patients were assigned as exposed or unexposed based on whether they were prescribed with colchicine in their last visit to the clinic during the 6 months before the start of the observation period. Treatment changes during the observation period were also considered. The primary outcome was COVID19-related hospital admissions occurring between March 1st and May 20th, 2020. Secondary outcome included COVID19-related mortality. Several weighting techniques for data balancing, based and non-based on the propensity score, followed by Cox regressions were performed to estimate the association of colchicine prescription on both outcomes.Results:9,379 patients entered in the study, with 406 and 9,002 exposed and unexposed follow-up periods, respectively. Generalized Boosted Models (GBM) and Empirical Balancing Calibration Weighting (EBCW) methods showed the best balance for COVID19-related hospital admissions. Colchicine prescription did not show a statistically significant association after covariable balancing (p-value = 0.195 and 0.059 for GBM and EBCW, respectively). Regarding mortality, the low number of events prevented a success variable balancing and analysis.Conclusion:Colchicine prescription does not play a significant protective or risk role in RMD patients regarding COVID19-related hospital admissions. Our observations could support the maintenance of colchicine prescription in those patients already being treated, as it is not associated with a worse prognosis.References:[1]Fernandez-Gutierrez B. COVID-19 with Pulmonary Involvement. An Autoimmune Disease of Known Cause. Reumatol Clin 2020; 16: 253–254.[2]Coperchini F, Chiovato L, Croce L, et al. The cytokine storm in COVID-19: An overview of the involvement of the chemokine/chemokine-receptor system. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 53: 25–32.[3]Shaffer L. 15 drugs being tested to treat COVID-19 and how they would work. Nat Med. Epub ahead of print 15 May 2020. DOI: 10.1038/d41591-020-00019-9.[4]Fernandez-Gutierrez B, Leon L, Madrid A, et al. Hospital admissions in inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: incidence and role of disease modifying agents. medRxiv 2020; 2020.05.21.20108696.[5]Freites Nuñez DD, Leon L, Mucientes A, et al. Risk factors for hospital admissions related to COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 2020; 1–7.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic continues worldwide and has had a strong impact on public health, quality of life and economy of the general population. To date, the number of infections and deaths are still increasing. From the beginning of the pandemic, efforts were intensified to identify risk factors for development of the severe form of COVID-19. In this sense underlying medical comorbidities have been shown to have a worse prognosis in these patients.Objectives:In patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and infected with Covid – 19, we aim to investigate the role of systemic autoimmune conditions compared to other type of RMDs in severity of COVID-19 in terms of hospital admissions.Methods:An observational longitudinal study was conducted during the epidemic peak in Madrid (1stMar to 20thMay2020). All patients attended at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of RMDs and Covid-19 infection were included (according to a medical diagnosis or confirmed with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostic test). All patients were included since the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Main variable: hospital admission related to Covid -19 infection. Independent variable: type of RMD including: autoimmune (systemic autoimmune conditions and inflammatory joint disease (IJD)) and nonautoimmune (mechanical diseases, and inflammatory diseases (microcrystalline arthritis and tendonitis)). Covariates: sociodemographic, clinical and therapy used. Statistical analysis: description of the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of the patients. A multivariate logistic regression adjusted by age, sex and comorbidities was used to evaluate the risk of the different types of RMDs in hospital admissions related to Covid-19. The results were expressed as OR with its corresponding confidence interval (95% CI).Results:406 patients were included with RMDs and Covid- 19 infection. 69.21% were women with a mean age at diagnosis of 60 ± 15.26 years. The evolution time from the diagnosis of RMD was 8 ± 8.38 years. 26% had comorbidity at baseline. 25% were chronically on corticoids prior to the infection. Of the 406 patients, 244 (60.09%) had non-autoimmune RMD (157 mechanic, 87 inflammatory) and 162 (39.9%) (106 (65.43%) IJD, 56 (34.56%) systemic autoimmune condition) had autoimmune RMD. 36% of all patients were admitted (31% from not autoimmune RMDs and 43% from autoimmune RMD (p = 0,013). The risk of hospital admission in autoimmune RMD compared to non-autoimmune RMD was higher (OR: 1.68; [1.11-2.54], p=0.013), being the risk of systemic autoimmune condition compared to both IJD and non-autoimmune RMD higher (OR IJD: 0.41 [0.21-0.51], p=0.01; OR non-autoimmune: 0.33; [0.18-0.61]; p=0.000). After adjusting by confounders, autoimmune RMD had higher risk of hospital admissions compared to the rest (OR: 1.75; [1.04-2.95]; p=0.03), and specifically systemic autoimmune condition had higher risk compared to IJD (OR of IJD 0.33; [0.14-.076]; p=0.009) and compared to non–autoimmune (OR non autoimmune 0.28; [0.13-0.59], p=0.001). Advanced age (OR: 1.10; [1.07-1.12], pConclusion:One third of the RMD patients infected with COVID-19 required hospital admission. This study shows that patients with autoimmune and specifically with systemic autoimmune conditions have a higher risk of hospitalization related to COVID-19. We also show that advanced age, male sex and a higher number of comorbidities can contribute to worsen the prognosis of the COVID-19 disease.References:[1]Jorge A, et al. Temporal trends in severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease: a cohort study. Lancet Rheumatol. Ahead of print 2021.[2]Hyrich KL, Machado PM. Rheumatic disease and COVID-19: epidemiology and outcomes. Nature Reviews Rheumatology 2020; 17: 71–72.[3]Bonfá E, et al. How COVID-19 is changing rheumatology clinical practice. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2021; 17: 11–15.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Background:Spain has been one of the countries most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among Spanish patients, 56,799 deaths have been reported. Although we have been in this situation of pandemic for a year, studies that show risk mortality rates in patients with rheumatic diseases continue to be scarce.Objectives:In patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and infected with Covid – 19, a) we want to assess the mortality rate (MR) related to COVID-19; and b) to analyze the role of RMDs in mortality risk.Methods:An observational longitudinal study was conducted during the epidemic peak in Madrid (1stMar to 20thMay2020). All patients attended at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of RMDs and SARS - CoV 2 infection were included (according to a medical diagnosis or confirmed with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostic test). All patients were included since the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Main outcome: death related to COVID-19 infection. Independent variable: type of RMDs including: autoimmune (systemic autoimmune conditions (SAC) and inflammatory joint disease (IJD)) and non–autoimmune (mechanical diseases and inflammatory diseases (microcrystalline arthritis and tendonitis)). Covariates: sociodemographic, comorbidities, chronic use of corticoids prior to COVID-19 infection. Survival techniques were used to estimate the MR related to COVID-19, given per 1,000 persons-month with a 95% confidence interval [CI]. The time of observation comprised the elapsed time between the date of COVID-19 diagnosis of infection until the date of patient’s death, or end of study. Cox multiple regression analysis was run to examine the effect of autoimmune RMDs compared to non-autoimmune RMDs on mortality risk adjusted by sex, age and comorbidities. Results were expressed by Hazard Ratio (HR) and [CI].Results:406 patients were included with RMD and Covid – 19 infection with a total follow-up 642.5 patients-month. 69.21% were women with a mean age at diagnosis of 60 ± 15.26 years. The evolution time from the diagnosis of rheumatic disease was 8 ± 8.38 years. 26% had comorbidity at baseline. 25% were chronically on corticoids prior to the infection. Of the 406 patients, 244 (60.09%) had non-autoimmune RMD (157 mechanic, 87 inflammatory) and 162 (39.9%) (106 (65.43%) IJD, 56 (34.56%) systemic condition) had autoimmune RMD. Of the 406 patients, 45 (11%) died during the follow-up, being 12± 14 days the mean time from infection to death (P50: 6[2-12] and a maximum of 60 days). MR was estimated in 70.03 [52.28-93.79] per 1,000 persons-month. MR was higher for men (MR 105[68-163]) than for women (MR 55 [37.2-81.6]) and in older people (MR 75Years: 486 [354-1668]). The HR of mortality in autoimmune RMDs compared to non-autoimmune RMDs did not achieved statistical significance (HR: 1.39 [0.77-2.5], p=0.27). After adjusting for confounders, we did not find higher risk of mortality among the different types of RMDs (HR autoimmune vs non-autoinmunes: HR: 1.12 [0.6-2.02], p=0.7; HR IJD vs SAC; 1.5 [0.6-3.6], p=0.34; HR non-autoimmune vs SAC: 1.1 [0.5-2.5], P=0.7). Age (HR: 1.12; [1.10-1.15], pConclusion:In patients with RMD and COVID-19 infection, we found a mortality rate of 7 per 100 persons-month. This study shows that the mortality risk related to COVID-19 is similar between autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases after adjusting by confounders. We also found that age and comorbidities are risk factors for mortality related to COVID-19 infection.References:[1]Jorge A, et al. Temporal trends in severe COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatic disease: a cohort study. Lancet Rheumatol. Epub ahead of print 2021..[2]Bonfá E, et al. How COVID-19 is changing rheumatology clinical practice. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2021; 17: 11–15.[3]Hyrich KL, Machado PM. Rheumatic disease and COVID-19: epidemiology and outcomes. Nature Reviews Rheumatology 2020; 17: 71–72.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

We appreciate the interest of Aydin et al 1 in our study about risk factors for hospital admissions related to COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD).2 COVID-19 pandemic is a matter in constant update and certainly an enormous challenge for researchers, clinicians, healthcare workers and epidemiologists. In this sense, all together are making enormous efforts in their fields to overcome this global crisis. In relation to research advances, there has been an explosion in the publication of articles related to COVID-19. In this pandemic situation, it is true that it has been a challenge and a race against the clock for researchers and some publications could be less rigorous than expected.3 For this reason, and according to Aydin et al ,1 the critical reading it is important to interpret the results, paying special attention to the limitations of each study. The role of IRD, their therapies and other potential factors in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and …

Background:The overall occurrence of Herpes zoster (HZ) infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is greater than in the general population although is controversial whether the use of the different disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) increases this risk.Objectives:To investigate the incidence and factors associate to HZ infections in patients with RA exposed to biologic agents (BA) and small molecule JAK inhibitors (JAKi), and to describe RA disease features at the moment of HZ infection.Methods:Retrospective longitudinal study was conducted. We included RA patients seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of tertiary hospital, commencing BA (anti-TNF therapy and no anti-TNF therapy) or JAKi from Jan 2007 until Dec 2017, and followed up until end of study (Dec 2019). The outcome of interest was the occurrence of HZ infection, the diagnosis of HZ events was based on the rheumatologist’s report. Covariables: sociodemographic, clinical, and concomitant treatments including glucocorticoids, conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Survival techniques were used to estimate the incidence of HZ (IR), per 1000 patient-year (PYs) with the respective Confidence Interval [95%CI]. Cox multivariate regression model to compare the risk of HZ was performed. Results were expressed in Hazard ratio (HR).Results:474 RA patients were included, starting 881 different courses of treatment (1954.86 patients-years of follow-up). 382 (80.6%) were women with a mean (SD) age of 56.9 (15.0) years at first BA. Across all groups of treatments, a total 18 HZ were recorded, events were non-serious and involved 1 or 2 dermatomes. The mean age (SD) at moment of the infection was 62 (11) years and 10 cases were on prednisone > 7.5 mg/day. 13 HZ cases (72.2%) occurred on treatment with anti-TNF treatment (6 with adalimumab, 4 with certolizumab and 1 with infliximab), 4 (22.2%) cases were on treatment with rituximab one occurred during tocilizumab prescription. The overall incidence of HZ was 9.20 cases per 1000PYs [5.80-14.61]. The crude IR was similar between gender, increased with age (Patients < 46 years: 2.17 [0.3-15.4]; >70 years 14.1 [5.8-33.8]), was higher with concomitant use of two csDMARDs (IR: 15.68 [7.8-31.7], and was similar between anti-TNF and non anti-TNF therapy. None HZ event was recorded in patients exposed to JAKi. In the multivariate analysis, age (HR: 1.05, p: 0.006), prednisone dose > 7.5 mg/day (HR: 2.83, p: 0.02) and the concomitant use of two csDMARDs (HR: 2.34 p: 0.039) increase the risk for HZ. Lymphopenia (HR: 2.6; p=0.06) achieved a trend and BA therapy dropped from the model.Conclusion:HZ incidence rate was 9.20 cases per 1000PYs, HZ occurrence in RA patients cannot be attributed solely to the current BA or JAKi treatment and other factors involved must be taking in count as age, concomitant DMARDs prescriptions, and use of glucocorticoids. Our data suggest that preventive strategies for HZ should be developed for patients with RA.Disclosure of Interests:None declared