The prevalence of Covid-19 in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis receiving classic Disease-Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of Covid-19 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who used classic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In this descriptive study that was performed in Loghman-Hakim Hospital (Tehran, Iran) between 2011 and 2020, patients with RA who were referred to the hospital were assessed based on age, sex, medications, comorbidities, smoking, duration of RA, history of Covid-19 in a first-degree relative, history of Covid-19 in the patient, and Covid-19 symptoms. one years 72.3% Covid-19 prevalence among patients with RA was 10.4%. The prevalence of Covid-19 in patients who used sulfasalazine was significantly higher (14.3%) than in patients who did not take it (8.9 %) (OR = 1.72; 95% CI, p value = 0.011). Hydroxychloroquine utilized drug among Covid-19 patients. However, there was no correlation between the prevalence of Covid-19 and the use of hydroxychloroquine ( p value = 0.779). In RA, self-quarantine lowered the risk of Covid-19 by around 60% (OR = 0.382; 95% CI (0.225 - 0.650)). In these patients, cardiac disease exhibited a significant correlation with Covid-19 prevalence ( p value < 0.001). Covid-19 has no higher prevalence in RA patients taking classic DMARDs than in the general population. The most common medicine among RA patients was hydroxychloroquine, which could be one of the reasons why these people did not develop Covid-19.