Evaluation of Health Status of Children with Autoinflammatory Diseases During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Since concerns have been raised that comorbidity is a significant risk factor for Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), there is an urgent need to perform studies which evaluate patients with chronic diseases such as autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs). We prepared a web-based survey investigating the clinical findings and contagion histories. Patients with AIDs, were included in the study. Confirmed COVID-19 cases, patients with contact history and patients with symptoms which were highly suggestive of COVID-19 were called via phone or recruited to a video or face to face appointment. Data of AIDs were obtained from their medical records, retrospectively. Laboratory and screening findings were confirmed by using our national health registry website and they were re-examined, if required. There were 404 patients (217 female) eligible for the enrollment. During pandemic, 375 (93%) were on colchicine treatment, and 48 (11.8%) were receiving biologic treatment. 24 out of 404 patients had admission to hospital due to COVID-19 suspicion. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were identified through rhino-pharyngeal swabs in 7 patients, 6 of whom were only on colchicine treatment. Only one patient with no finding of any severe respiratory complications has been hospitalized. All of them recovered completely. Among patients on biologic drugs, neither a symptom nor a positive polymerase chain reaction test was detected that would have been suggestive of COVID-19. In conclusion, pediatric patients with AIDs, those receive either biologic treatment or colchicine may not be at increased risk for either being infected or having worse disease course.