Dimitroulas Theodoros, Bertsias George
4 Department of Internal Medicine, Hipokration Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Crete Medical School and University Hospital of Iraklio, Iraklio, Greece.
Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2020 Sep 8;31(Suppl 2):253-256. doi: 10.31138/mjr.31.3.253. eCollection 2020 Sep.
The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation threatens not only the health of populations, but also the coherence and function of health care systems. Patients with systemic inflammatory disorders feel the overwhelming strain of COVID-19, since their disease, administered treatments, and associated comorbidities may all contribute to increased vulnerability to infection. At the same time, monitoring the activity status of rheumatic diseases and adjusting the treatments where appropriate, are important for preventing flares and other complications, which could pose additional health risks. Considering the urgent need to maintain physical distancing and self-quarantine as much as possible, we herein discuss the challenges and possible solutions pertaining to the assessment and monitoring of patients with systemic inflammatory diseases. We also discuss issues related to the prescription and supply of anti-rheumatic drugs, as well as opportunities provided by the use of technological and wireless tools. From an optimistic viewpoint, the end of this pandemic may leave us with an important legacy in utilising and implementing e-health solutions that may both improve the clinical care standards for patients with systemic inflammatory diseases and also reduce the burden placed on healthcare systems.
全球2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）疫情不仅威胁着民众的健康，也对医疗保健系统的连贯性和功能构成挑战。患有全身性炎症性疾病的患者感受到了COVID-19带来的巨大压力，因为他们的疾病、正在接受的治疗以及相关的合并症都可能导致感染易感性增加。与此同时，监测风湿性疾病的活动状态并在适当的时候调整治疗，对于预防病情复发和其他并发症很重要，这些并发症可能会带来额外的健康风险。鉴于迫切需要尽可能保持社交距离和自我隔离，我们在此讨论全身性炎症性疾病患者评估和监测方面的挑战及可能的解决方案。我们还将讨论抗风湿药物的处方和供应相关问题，以及使用技术和无线工具带来的机遇。从乐观的角度来看，这场大流行的结束可能会给我们留下一份重要遗产，即利用和实施电子健康解决方案，这既可以提高全身性炎症性疾病患者的临床护理标准，又可以减轻医疗保健系统的负担。
