Objective The relative risk of SARS–CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 disease severity among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) compared to those without RMDs is unclear. This study was undertaken to quantify the risk of SARS–CoV‐2 infection in those with RMDs and describe clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 in these patients. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using 14 databases from January 1, 2019 to February 13, 2021. We included observational studies and experimental trials in RMD patients that described comparative rates of SARS–CoV‐2 infection, hospitalization, oxygen supplementation/intensive care unit (ICU) admission/mechanical ventilation, or death attributed to COVID‐19. Methodologic quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools or the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, as applicable for each outcome, using the Mantel‐Haenszel formula with random effects models. Results Of the 5,799 abstracts screened, 100 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review, and 54 of 100 had a low risk of bias. Among the studies included in the meta‐analyses, we identified an increased prevalence of SARS–CoV‐2 infection in patients with an RMD (RR 1.53 [95% CI 1.16–2.01]) compared to the general population. The odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation were similar in patients with and those without an RMD, whereas the mortality rate was increased in patients with RMDs (OR 1.74 [95% CI 1.08–2.80]). In a smaller number of studies, the adjusted risk of outcomes related to COVID‐19 was assessed, and the results varied; some studies demonstrated an increased risk while other studies showed no difference in risk in patients with an RMD compared to those without an RMD. Conclusion Patients with RMDs have higher rates of SARS–CoV‐2 infection and an increased mortality rate.

Objective Antirheumatic disease therapies have been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and its complications. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to describe the current evidence. Methods A search of published and preprint databases in all languages was performed. Included studies described one or more relevant clinical outcomes in five or more people who were infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and were treated with antirheumatic disease therapy between 01/01/2019 and 05/29/2020. Pairs of reviewers screened articles and extracted data and assessed risk of bias. A meta‐analysis of effect sizes using the random‐effects models was performed when possible. Results The search identified 3,935 articles, of which 45 were included (4 randomized controlled trials, 29 cohort studies, and 12 case series). All studies evaluated hospitalized patients and 29 out of 45 had been published in a peer‐reviewed journal. In a meta‐analysis of three cohort studies with a low risk of bias, hydroxychloroquine use was not significantly associated with mortality (pooled hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83‐2.42). In a meta‐analysis of two cohort studies with some concerns/high risk of bias, anakinra use was associated with lower mortality (pooled HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1‐0.4). Evidence was inconclusive with regard to other antirheumatic disease therapies and the majority of other studies had a high risk of bias. Conclusion In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, hydroxychloroquine use was not associated with benefit or harm with regard to COVID‐19 mortality. The evidence supporting the effect of other antirheumatic disease therapies in COVID‐19 is currently inconclusive.

Background The impact and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with rheumatic disease are unclear. We developed the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Patient Experience Survey to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with rheumatic disease worldwide.Methods Survey questions were developed by key stakeholder groups and disseminated worldwide through social media, websites, and patient support organisations. Questions included demographics, rheumatic disease diagnosis, COVID-19 diagnosis, adoption of protective behaviours to mitigate COVID-19 exposure, medication access and changes, health-care access and communication with rheumatologists, and changes in employment or schooling. Adults age 18 years and older with inflammatory or autoimmune rheumatic diseases were eligible for inclusion. We included participants with and without a COVID-19 diagnosis. We excluded participants reporting only non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis. Findings 12 117 responses to the survey were received between April 3 and May 8, 2020, and of these, 10 407 respondents had included appropriate age data. We included complete responses from 9300 adults with rheumatic disease (mean age 46•1 years; 8375 [90•1%] women, 893 [9•6%] men, and 32 [0•3%] participants who identified as non-binary). 6273 (67•5%) of respondents identified as White, 1565 (16•8%) as Latin American, 198 (2•1%) as Black, 190 (2•0%) as Asian, and 42 (0•5%) as Native American or Aboriginal or First Nation. The most common rheumatic disease diagnoses included rheumatoid arthritis (3636 [39•1%] of 9300), systemic lupus erythematosus (2882 [31•0%]), and Sjögren's syndrome (1290 [13•9%]). Most respondents (6921 [82•0%] of 8441) continued their antirheumatic medications as prescribed. Almost all (9266 [99•7%] of 9297) respondents adopted protective behaviours to limit SARS-CoV-2 exposure. A change in employment status occurred in 2524 (27•1%) of 9300) of respondents, with a 13•6% decrease in the number in full-time employment (from 4066 to 3514).Interpretation People with rheumatic disease maintained therapy and followed public health advice to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. Substantial employment status changes occurred, with potential implications for health-care access, medication affordability, mental health, and rheumatic disease activity.Funding American College of Rheumatology.

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Highlights This scoping review provides an up-to-date overview of published evidence regarding the frequency and severity of acute viral respiratory AEs related to antirheumatic disease therapies. Glucocorticoid use was associated with a higher frequency of acute upper and lower respiratory viral events. Mild viral respiratory infections occurred more frequently in several studies in which patients were treated with JAKi, most notably at higher doses. TNFi and IL-17 inhibitors seemed to be associated with higher frequency of mild viral respiratory infections such as URTI and nasopharyngitis. Our review identifies a knowledge gap for most antirheumatic medications and their acute respiratory viral complications; in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased widespread respiratory viral PCR testing offers immediate research opportunities to clarify the safety of antirheumatic therapies in terms of viral respiratory complications.