Increased Prevalence of Hospital-Diagnosed COVID-19 in Autoimmune/Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Just another interesting article. Not shared to cause concern, or as a 'definitive' of anything. Just found it interesting that 'they," are even analysing this data.

rheumatologyadvisor.com/hom...

[SheffieldJane]

Thank you for sharing your research with us.

How are you doing personally now, well I hope?

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for asking Jane... I am ok, still shielding. I vacillate between 8.0 and 11.mg... if I get to low, all the PMR aches and pains come back with a vengeance. 11mg seems to be my magic number, but Rheumy wanted me on 5mg, by the time I am scheduled to see her in October; else she is talking Methotrexate! 😳. Hope you are well and managing the GCA effectively! ❤️

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

Nice to see you all behaving beautifully on your beach! Unlike some! 😉

I am glad that you are making steady progress, if 11 mgs is your magic number, then it is your magic number. You are so well versed in it all, I can’t see anyone making you take something you don’t want to.

I am “ gloomily” facing the prospect of Metformin for steroid induced diabetes and the prospect of Tocilizumab with moderate excitement and lots of trepidation.

During the BLM movement I think about your beautiful boy. 💜

[Longtimer]

Will look at that soon after I cool down...sweats in this heat...not funny!....As SJane said how are doing now?

[Hidden in reply to Longtimer]

LONGTIMER!!!! Hello! Thank you also for asking... I am ok, still shielding. I vacillate between 8.0 and 11.mg... if I get to low, all the PMR aches and pains come back with a vengeance. 11mg seems to be my magic number, but Rheumy wanted me on 5mg, by the time I am scheduled to see her in October; else she is talking Methotrexate! 😳. Hope you are well... if not a bit warm! xxx

[Longtimer in reply to Hidden]

Just like me....I am at 9 mg after all these years, but still have fatigue and sweats!.....plus this heat!....do not be talked into lowering, it's your pain...not theirs!........keep us posted if you go on MTX........We keep battling on together.....👍

[fmkkm]

The only surprise in this article was they actually mentioned gca. We are finally getting on their radar!

Thanks for sharing! fm

[Rimmy]

Thanks M - always useful to read the 'latest'. XX

[Koalajane]

Hi and hope you are okay. I hate to say it but it was above me and I don’t really understand what it is saying!

[Hidden in reply to Koalajane]

Hi KJ, I believe they are just saying their study found that, "...there was an increased rate of hospital-diagnosed COVID-19 cases that they believe was associated with chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. (Including PMR)

They looked at 26,131 patients, who were receiving follow-up's in rheumatology departments, and who were screened for hospital-positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR results. They found that, compared with a "control group," the patients who had chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, had a higher incidence of COVID-19.

That's my take... I could be wrong. Hope you are well!

[Koalajane in reply to Hidden]

Hi, yes I am okay just usual aches and pains. Trying to keep pred down as it has an effect on my type 2 and my macular oedema but I could be a lot worse. Nice to see you on here as are many I am sure

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It occurred to me much later - read it this morning - that this is probably based on US figures because anecdotally several doctors in the UK have said they have seen lower numbers of rheumatology patients than they expected here. I assume because they were mostly shielding.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I agree we were all told to "shield," early.

RheumatologyAdvisor is based out of New York... Their mission, "... is to empower rheumatology healthcare professionals with practice-focused and comprehensive clinical and drug information that is reflective of current and emerging principles of care to help clinicians optimize patient outcomes." So, I assume the info is of interest, to clinicians globally.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Everyone over 65 was told to stay at home here - just shop for essentials and within the place we live. But they were tough about it. Don't know what younger chronic sick were told - but everyone stayed at home so I don't suppose it was much different from the UK.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Here the NHS offered help with getting food and other services, so that the ones who should be shielded (but were perhaps alone) could get help, so they could STAY shielded. I don't know how well it worked but they offered me help several different times... but luckily, I have my better half, so didn't need it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

We had charities who did and delivered shopping for a time. But most people seemed to want to go shopping! Especially the older ones ...

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

Puzzles me the difference of 65 where you are and 70 here!.....the mind boggles who decides on these things!

[SheffieldJane]

An interesting read DadCue. I am going nowhere soon.

[Jan_Noack]

thanks