A single center survey study of systemic vasculitis and COVID-19 during the first months of pandemic

Creative Commons License

Ince B., Bektaş M., Koca N., Ağargün B. F., Zarali S., Güzey D. Y., ...Daha Fazla

Turkish journal of medical sciences, cilt.51, sa.5, ss.2243-2247, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 51 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3906/sag-2010-267
  • Dergi Adı: Turkish journal of medical sciences
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2243-2247
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, ANCA-associated vasculitis, large vessel vasculitis, treatment adherence, compliance
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic created concerns among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Frequency of COVID-19 and impact of lockdown on treatment compliance in patients with vasculitis are largely unknown. Patients and method: Patients with ANCA-associated and large vessel vasculitis that have been followed-up in our clinic were contacted by phone and a questionnaire containing home isolation status, treatment adherence and history of COVID-19 between March 1st and June 30th, 2020 was applied. Results: The survey was applied to 103 patients (F/M: 59/44, mean age: 53.2 +/- 12.5). Thirty-three (32%) patients didn't attend at least one appointment; 98(95.1%) noted that they spent 3 months in home isolation. Five patients (4.8%) received immunosuppressives irregularly and 3(2.9%) developed symptoms due to undertreatment. Four (3.9%) patients admitted to hospital with a suspicion of COVID-19, but none of them had positive PCR or suggestive findings by imaging. COVID-19 was diagnosed in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis during hospitalization for disease flare and she died despite treatment. Discussion: Frequency of COVID-19 was low in patients with vasculitis in our single center cohort. Although outpatient appointments were postponed in one-third of our patients, high compliance with treatment and isolation rules ensured patients with vasculitis overcome this period with minimal morbidity and mortality.