Recommendations for the management of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease pandemic
- Author:
Mi Ryoung SEO
1
;
Ji-Won KIM
;
Eun-Jung PARK
;
Seung Min JUNG
;
Yoon-Kyoung SUNG
;
Hyungjin KIM
;
Gunwoo KIM
;
Hyun-Sook KIM
;
Myeung-Su LEE
;
Jisoo LEE
;
Ji An HUR
;
Bum Sik CHIN
;
Joong Sik EOM
;
Han Joo BAEK
;
Author Information
- Publication Type:1
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2020;35(6):1317-1332
- CountryRepublic of 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.
