Pre Print of UK research suggests biomarkers for Severe COVID-19 includes markers of myeloid or endothelial activation; such as D-dimer, EN-RAGE, CXCL10, GM-CSF, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-2, GDF-15, G-CSF, S100A12, https://t.co/Yv6yM4DYmp

There have been many cases of Kawasaki vasculitis in kids ith COVID-19; now Lg vessel vasculitis in 79 yo Japanese man w/ COVID-19 pneumonia, CRP 17.7 mg/dL, spiking fevers and CTA and FDG-PET evid of aortic and LVV, neg ANCA, nl IgG4, but was HLA-DR4+. https://t.co/UpL4Z1qK2p

Observational study of 123 Spanish rheumatic dz pts w/ COVID-19, finds 54 hospitalized. Admitted pts were 69.7 yrs, and 22% died. Admission was assoc w/ older age, autoimmune dz (vs inflammatory arthritis; OR: 3.55), but not DMARD Rx. https://t.co/UWNyhOKbvF

The RheumNow Podcast is up - Bad Disease & Bad Outcomes. COVID consequences, TNFi Switching in SpA, psychosis in lupus? Watch it here> https://t.co/ced3cKg5eB or listent to podcast on iTunes> https://t.co/FHJv01AAbC or SoundCloud> https://t.co/e4nWr3wECz

Another case of COVID-19 Arthritis; 58 yoF w/ non-severe COVID-19, (by qRT-PCR ) had arthralgia, fever, cough, nausea, diarrhoea, dysgeusia, and devloped ankle arthritis CRP 7·36 mg/L, lymphopenia (1·29) persistent arthritis (by US) and +Sars-CoV-2 in SF. https://t.co/4Pg1Vq30EN

Comparison of 34,128 COVID and 84,585 influenza pts; COVID-19 patients have been more typically been male, younger, and have fewer comorbidities and lower medication use than flu. (data from USA, South Korea, Spain) https://t.co/VUzVxFdBra

To quash the virus, the immune system unleashes an arsenal. Sometimes these weapons turn inward and destroy healthy tissues. Combatting this friendly fire has become as crucial a part of the Covid-19 treatment strategy as subduing the virus itself. https://t.co/FrxVfSleEH

Latest data Global Rheumatology Alliance COVID Registry -2121 pts (40% RA, 17% SLE, 9% PsA), 64% on DMARDs, 33% biologics, 5% JAKi, 34% steroid,27% HCQ, with only 7.6 deaths and 39% hospitalized and 81% resolved infection. https://t.co/g0w4QZHmRl

Swiss cohort of 666 axSpA, RA & PsA pts seen before, during & after COVID; consults dropped 52%, remote visits increased 129%, & non-compliance slightly increased during COVID (axSpA 20% vs 13% before, p=0.003); but no incr in flares(<15%) or Dz activity https://t.co/lWb7WCwGbN