Abstract

Coronavirus infections, known as COVID-19, can induce a fatal respiratory system infection and also affect other organs, such as the kidney and heart. The mortality rate has been estimated between 1 and 5 in previous reports; however, the mortality and morbidity can be higher in patients with the immune-deficiency condition. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most rheumatoid disorders, and it is important to report their clinical and paraclinical data when affected with COVID-19. Evidence about their laboratory and radiologic findings is limited. In this case series, 10 cases of chronic and approved rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affected by COVID-19 are presented. Only 40 had dry cough, but myalgia and weakness as the general first presentation of infections was reported in most cases (80). Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and abdominal pain, were reported in 50 of individuals. In blood cell count, 30 of cases had thrombocytopenia, and ESR in all cases was positive. Abnormal CRP and elevated LDH were seen in 90 of cases. In HRCT assessment, all cases had an abnormal parenchymal pattern, and 90 of cases presented the usual pattern of COVID-19 (bilateral multifocal GGO/consolidation). Although it is a limited report, these findings are helpful for comparison of clinical and paraclinical cases in RA cases with normal cases.