An Investigation of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Abstract

Abstract Objective. We aimed to investigate the risk and prognosis associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)infection among patients diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Methods. In the retrospective study, we included a cohort of PMR patients and followed them over time. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made based on the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests. We collected the demography information, data on PMR disease activity and treatment, as well as clinical data related to COVID-19. Results. In our study, a total of 101 patients diagnosed with PMR were enrolled. Among them, 81 patients (80.2%) were categorized as having a COVID-19 infection, while the remaining 20 patients (19.8%) did not have COVID-19. Among PMR patients with COVID-19, 65 patients (64.4%) were confirmed to have the presence of COVID-19 antigen, while 16 patients (15.8%) tested positive for COVID-19 RNA. Most COVID-19 cases in PMR patients were classified as mild (88.9%). We utilized multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for COVID-19 infection among PMR patients. The analysis revealed that the baseline of disease activity of PMR was identified as an independent risk factor for COVID-19 infection. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that PMR patients may have a lower infection rate and less severe cases of COVID-19 compared to the general population. The baseline disease activity of PMR might contribute to the increased susceptibility to COVID-19.