Korean J Intern Med.  2020 Nov;35(6):1317-1332. 10.3904/kjim.2020.417.

Recommendations for the management of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease pandemic

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
  • 2Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
  • 3Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
  • 5Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea
  • 6Department of Medical Humanities, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 7Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea
  • 8Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 9Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea
  • 10Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 11Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
  • 12Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 13Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea

Abstract

Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD) are vulnerable for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Korean College of Rheumatology recognized the urgent need to develop recommendations for rheumatologists and other physicians to manage patients with SRD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The working group was organized and was responsible for selecting key health questions, searching and reviewing the available literature, and formulating statements. The appropriateness of the statements was evaluated by voting panels using the modified Delphi method. Four general principles and thirteen individual recommendations were finalized through expert consensus based on the available evidence. The recommendations included preventive measures against COVID-19, medicinal treatment for stable or active SRD patients without COVID-19, medicinal treatment for SRD patients with COVID-19, and patient evaluation and monitoring. Medicinal treatments were categorized according to the status with respect to both COVID-19 and SRD. These recommendations should serve as a reference for individualized treatment for patients with SRD. As new evidence is emerging, an immediate update will be required.

Keyword

Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Rheumatic diseases; Recommendations; Treatment
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