Comorbid infections in rheumatic diseases (according to FSBI RIR named after V.A. Nasonova)

Abstract

Aim. Study of spectrum, frequency and risk factors of comorbid infections in rheumatic diseases (RD) in the stationary contingent of patients hospitalized in the FSBI RIR named after V.A. Nasonova within 1 year.Patients and methods. The study included 245 patients with RD: 122 patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, 62 - systemic lupus erythematosus, 61 - systemic scleroderma. All patients were interviewed by a doctor-researcher and filled in a questionnaire. If necessary, additional information was obtained during the analysis of medical records.Results. In the spectrum of infections in patients with RD, respiratory tract and ENT infections prevailed. The frequency of serious infections (SI) during RD in the studied cohort was 23.7–38.1%. The frequency of certain infections, including SI, is influenced by the duration and variant of RD, comorbid diseases and immunosuppressive therapy.Conclusions: the data obtained indicate the importance of infections in rheumatology. A high percentage of RD exacerbation against the background of infection, the prevalence of respiratory tract infections, including SI, dictate the need for vaccine prophylaxis at the early stages of RD.

Keywords

• infections
• rheumatoid arthritis
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• systemic scleroderma
• pneumonia