Immunosuppression drug advice and COVID-19: are we doing more harm than good?

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2020 Jun 2;81(6):1-3. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2020.0312. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Abstract

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines advise stopping immunosuppressive drugs for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This may not be in the patient's best interest, given the potential long-term consequences of not managing chronic conditions, and immunosuppression may even be protective in those affected with COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Cytokine Release Syndrome / immunology*
  • Deprescriptions*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prognosis
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents