ACR Updates COVID-19 Guidance for the Management of Adult Patients With Rheumatic Diseases

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) updated its clinical guidance to include the reinitiation of treatment after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adult patients with rheumatic diseases. The full report is published on the ACR website.

Updated ACR Recommendations for Management of Rheumatic Diseases in COVID-19

• Reinitiating rheumatic disease treatment, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, immunosuppressants, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors, may be considered within 7 to 14 days of symptom resolution in patients with uncomplicated COVID-19 infections (defined as mild or no pneumonia, with treatment in an ambulatory setting or by self-quarantine).
• The ACR recommends that rheumatic disease treatment be reinitiated 10 to 17 days after patients have tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and if they remain asymptomatic.
• Rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals must make decisions on a case-by-case basis regarding the timing of reinitiation of rheumatic disease treatment in patients recovering from severe COVID-19-related illnesses.

Reference

American College of Rheumatology. COVID-19 clinical guidance for adult patients with rheumatic diseases. Updated July 13, 2020. Accessed July 27, 2020. https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/ACR-COVID-19-Clinical-Guidance-Summary-Patients-with-Rheumatic-Diseases.pdf