Assessment of Evidence for COVID-19 and Rheumatic Diseases: Brief Considerations about Immunity and Pathophysiology

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus that has undesirable consequences for people’s livelihoods, national or international economies, and global relations. This novel coronavirus which originated in China, has rapidly spread throughout the world, and was officially considered by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic. Although SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects the respiratory system, it has a broad potential for extrapulmonary spread and multiorgan involvement. Patients with COVID-19 infection experience a variety of symptoms. The complaints of myalgia or generalised weakness are among the most common problems and could serve as an indicator of disease severity. Moreover, multiple rheumatic manifestations such as arthritis have been reported in COVID-19 patients in various studies. The involvement of the musculoskeletal system including skeletal muscle, bone, and joints have also been reported in infected patients.1 Coronavirus can cause complications such as interstitial pneumonia, myocarditis, leukopenia (with lymphopenia), and thrombocytopenia, that may also manifest in rheumatic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Neurological symptoms that affect motor control and muscle function have also been reported in up to 36% of patients.2