Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with SLE with confirmed or suspected COVID-19
| COVID-19-like clinical picture (group A)* | Contact with patient with COVID-19 (group B)* | Confirmed COVID-19 (group C)* | |
| Number of patients | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| Age (years) (mean±SD) | 29.3±7.0 | 33.4±10.8 | 34.5±13.4 |
| Female, n (%) | 17 (100) | 5 (100) | 2 (100) |
| Organ systems involved, n (%) | |||
| Musculoskeletal | 14 (82.4) | 4 (80) | 1 (50) |
| Mucocutaneous | 10 (58.8) | 2 (40) | 1 (50) |
| Haematological | 9 (52.9) | 2 (40) | 1 (50) |
| Renal | 7 (41.2) | 0 | 1 (50) |
| Neuropsychiatric | 3 (17.6) | 1 (20) | 0 |
| Serositis | 3 (17.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Constitutional | 2 (11.8) | 0 | 0 |
| Others | 4 (23.5) | 3 (60) | 1 (50) |
| Comorbidities, n (%) | |||
| Hypertension | 1 (5.9) | 1 (20) | 1 (50) |
| Diabetes | 1 (5.9) | 1 (20) | 0 |
| Hypothyroidism | 5 (29.4) | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 (5.9) | 0 | 0 |
| Medications, n (%) | |||
| Hydroxychloroquine | 17 (100) | 5 (100) | 2 (100) |
| Dose (mg per day) (mean±SD) | 258.8±79.5 | 300±0 | 300±0 |
| Duration (months) (mean±SD) | 32.6±21.6 | 20.4±17.7 | 26±31.1 |
| Glucocorticoid | 14 (82.4) | 4 (80) | 2 (100) |
| Dose (mg per day)† (mean±SD) | 12.6±11.0 | 17.5±21.9 | 35±21.2 |
| Mycophenolate | 7 (41.2) | 2 (40) | 2 (100) |
| Methotrexate | 3 (17.6) | 1 (20) | 0 |
| Azathioprine | 4 (23.5) | 1 (20) | 0 |
| Rituximab | 3 (17.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Symptoms | |||
| Fever (>100°F) | 14 (82.4) | 0 | 0 |
| Dyspnoea | 11 (64.7) | 0 | 1 (50) |
| Dry cough | 10 (58.8) | 0 | 0 |
| Contact with patient with COVID-19 | 0 | 5 (100) | 1 (50) |
*Group C comprised one patient each from groups A and B.
†Glucocorticoid dose is expressed in prednisolone equivalent.
SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.