Autoimmune Diseases Induced or Exacerbated by COVID-19: A Single Center Experience

Table 1

Demographic and clinical characteristics of cases of post-COVID-19 autoimmune diseases

Patient	Age (years)/gender	Time of AID diagnosis following COVID-19 infection (weeks)	Methodology of COVID-19 diagnosis	Autoimmune disease	Episode	Clinical presentation	C-reactive protein (mg/dL)/erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/h)	Autoantibodies	Treatment; outcome
P1	20/M	4	PCR	HSP	First	Migratory arthralgia and purpuric rash	3.5NA	NA	No treatment; resolved spontaneously
P2	68/F	2	PCR	Polymyalgia rheumatica-like disease	First	Headache, shoulder and buttock aches, and morning stiffness	0.20 72	NA	Corticosteroids; clinical improvement
P3	36/F	2	PCR	ITP	Recurrence	Gingival bleeding and purpuric rash	0.33NA	NA	Corticosteroids; rise in platelet count and resolution of clinical findings
P4	59/F	4	Serology	GPA	First	Gingivitis, headache, and abdominal pain	24.1 109	c-ANCA 83.4 U/mL	Corticosteroids and rituximab; impressive clinical recovery and improvement in lab values
P5	70/F	Diagnosed during COVID-19 infection.	PCR	Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis	Recurrence	Petechial rash and arthralgia	7.08NA	NA	Corticosteroids; resolution of symptoms
P6	76/F	Diagnosed during COVID-19 infection.	PCR	ITP	Recurrence	No evident thrombocytopenia-related symptoms	24.1NA	NA	Corticosteroids, IVIG, and rituximab; rise in platelet count

F, female; M, male; P, patient; NA, data are not available; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; HSP, Henöch–Schönlein purpura; ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; GPA, granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Time since diagnosis was calculated from the first positive nasopharyngeal swab or the suspected initiation of symptoms (the earlier). Laboratory reference normal ranges: CRP: 0–0.5 mg/dL; c-ANCA: <10 U/mL; ESR: 1–20 mm/h.