There are similarities between rheumatic disease with lung involvement and COVID-19 pneumonia

Introduction There is considerable overlap between the clinical manifestations of covid-19 pneumonia and the acute interstitial lung disease seen in certain rheumatic disorders. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis is increasingly recognised as a potentially serious consequence of both. Methods This review explores this overlap of clinical features, risk factors and causation, offering insights into the immune mechanisms that contribute to both sets of disorders. Results The therapeutic role of immunosuppression and biologic agents in the treatment of covid-19 is explained in the light of this. Discussion We propose how lessons learned from the insights recently gained into each disorder can improve our insight into immunological mechanisms and application of therapeutic interventions in the other.

Automated summary

This review examines the overlap in clinical features, risk factors, and causation between covid-19 pneumonia and acute interstitial lung diseases in certain rheumatic disorders, highlighting the potential role of pulmonary fibrosis in both. It also discusses the therapeutic implications of immunosuppression and biologic agents in the treatment of covid-19, and proposes that insights gained from studying one disorder can help improve understanding and therapeutic interventions in the other.