Open AccessA case report of monoarthritis in a COVID-19 patient and literature review
Author(s) -
Gilberto Cincinelli,
R. Di Taranto,
Francesco Orsini,
Andrea Rindone,
Antonella Murgo,
Roberto Caporali
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000026089
Subject(s) - medicine , monoarthritis , arthritis , differential diagnosis , intensive care medicine , covid-19 , dermatology , pathology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Rationale: COVID-19 presentation is multifaceted and up to 44% of patients affected by COVID-19 experience musculoskeletal complaints, mostly in the form of diffuse aspecific arthromyalgias. Nevertheless, only a few cases of arthritis following SARS-CoV2 infection are reported. Patient concerns: A 27-year-old man affected by nail psoriasis presented with monoarthritis 2 weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Diagnoses: Diagnostic work-up and differential diagnosis were made difficult by patient isolation, absence of lab tests, and his visit via telemedicine, even though signs of first metacarpophalangeal joint involvement were clear. Interventions: Due to the inefficacy of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the patient was prescribed oral steroids with a rapid benefit. Outcomes: The patient's response to oral steroid was prompt and maintained even after therapy tapering. Even so, a formal diagnosis was not possible due to a difficult diagnostic work-up and lack of a long-term follow-up. Lessons: Like many other viral diseases, SARS-CoV2 can play as a causative agent or as a trigger for inflammatory arthritis development in predisposed individuals.