Premium
Updated APLAR consensus statements on care for patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Tam LaiShan,
Tanaka Yoshiya,
Handa Rohini,
Li Zhanguo,
Lorenzo Jose Paulo,
Louthrenoo Worawit,
Hill Catherine,
Pile Kevin,
Robinson Philip C.,
Dans Leonila F.,
Hsu Li Yang,
Lee SangMin,
Cho Jiacai,
Hasan A. T. M. Tanveer,
Salim Babur,
Samreen Saba,
Shaharir Syahrul Sazliyana,
Wong Priscilla,
Chau Jeffrey,
Danda Debashish,
Haq Syed Atiqul
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.14124
Subject(s) - medicine , context (archaeology) , pandemic , delphi method , medline , telemedicine , family medicine , disease management , covid-19 , health care , disease , paleontology , statistics , mathematics , political science , parkinson's disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , economics , biology , economic growth
Aim To update previous guidance of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) on the management of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods Research questions were formulated focusing on diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with RMD within the context of the pandemic, including the management of RMD in patients who developed COVID‐19. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies to address the questions, and the APLAR COVID‐19 task force convened 2 meetings through video conferencing to discuss its findings and integrate best available evidence with expert opinion. Consensus statements were finalized using the modified Delphi process. Results Agreement was obtained around key aspects of screening for or diagnosis of COVID‐19; management of patients with RMD without confirmed COVID‐19; and management of patients with RMD with confirmed COVID‐19. The task force achieved consensus on 25 statements covering the potential risk of acquiring COVID‐19 in RMD patients, advice on RMD medication adjustment and continuation, the roles of telemedicine and vaccination, and the impact of the pandemic on quality of life and on treatment adherence. Conclusions Available evidence primarily from descriptive research supported new recommendations for aspects of RMD care not covered in the previous document, particularly with regard to risk factors for complicated COVID‐19 in RMD patients, modifications to RMD treatment regimens in the context of the pandemic, and COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with RMD.