Systemic sclerosis and the COVID-19 pandemic: World Scleroderma Foundation preliminary advice for patient management.

Matucci-Cerinic, Marco; Bruni, Cosimo; Allanore, Yannick; Clementi, Massimo; Dagna, Lorenzo; Damjanov, Nemanja S; de Paulis, Amato; Denton, Christopher P et al. · Ann Rheum Dis · 2020

expert_opinion · Level V

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Abstract

Due to the frequent presence of interstitial lung disease and widespread use of immunosuppressive treatment, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients may be considered at risk for a more severe disease course and higher mortality when they develop Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection. Therefore, with World Scleroderma Foundation endorsement, experts from different specialties including rheumatology, virology and clinical immunology gathered virtually to answer to the main practical clinical questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection coming from both patients and physicians. This preliminary advice is aligned with other national and international recommendations, adapted for SSc patients.

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