Chronic and opportunistic infections in patients with immuno-inflammatory rheumatic diseases: screening and prevention issues (based on the materials of the EULAR recommendations)

Abstract

At the present stage of development of rheumatology, much attention is paid to the problem of comorbid infections, which have a significant impact on mortality and mortality, especially in immuno-inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IIRD). The active introduction into clinical practice of innovative drugs, the action of which is aimed at specific components of the pathogenesis of IIRD, has led to an increase in the risk of developing infections of various nature and localization, including chronic and opportunistic (COI). This article analyzes the recommendations for screening and prevention of COI in adult patients with acute respiratory infections, proposed in November 2022 by experts of the European Alliance of Rheumatology Associations (EULAR). It is noted that these recommendations should be considered through the prism of national guidelines that take into account regional risk factors, features of the course, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of СOI. At the same time, it seems absolutely justified to periodically review screening and preventive procedures as new scientific data accumulate. Despite the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for close cooperation with doctors of other specialties, the EULAR working group emphasizes the central role of a rheumatologist in the management of patients with HOI that occur against the background of IIRD and are associated with the received anti-rheumatic therapy.