Effect of treatment regimen of the rheumatoid arthritis patients on the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 by modulating the inflammatory mediators

BackgroundThe therapeutic profile of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly consists of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory compounds. Here in this research, we assessed the potential effect of drug treatment in the RA patients in increasing the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, 200 subjects with RA were recruited. The treatment profile of the subjects for the past 6 months was collected. The COVID-19 diagnosis was implemented based on the standard molecular tests and clinical examinations. Serum concentration of cytokines was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsIt was detected that there was an increased risk of COVID-19 in RA subjects receiving Etanercept (OR = 3.51, 95% CI 1.19-10.30, P = 0.022). Concentrations of Interleukin (IL)-1 & beta;, Interferon (IFN)-& gamma;, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-& alpha;, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 were significantly higher in the RA patients with COVID-19 relative to RA cases without COVID-19. In RA/COVID-19 cases receiving Etanercept, serum levels of TNF-& alpha;, IL-1 & beta;, and IL-6 were significantly lower than RA/COVID-19 subjects without Etanercept therapy.ConclusionsIt seems that Etanercept therapy in RA cases might increase proneness of the COVID-19 risk in these cases. The mechanism of this increased risk may stem from suppressing a protective immunity state in the RA cases.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of drug treatment on the risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was found that RA patients receiving Etanercept had an increased risk of COVID-19. Additionally, the study found that the use of Etanercept in RA patients lowered serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.