Autoimmune rheumatic disorders include diverse syndromes such as
Rheumatoid arthritis and the spondyloarthropathies and their variants are also immune mediated. The triggers and pathophysiology are incompletely understood for these disorders, but many aspects of pathogenesis are becoming clearer, enabling the development of more specific therapies.
Patients with most autoimmune rheumatic disorders are at increased risk of atherosclerosis.
Patients who receive moderate doses of corticosteroids plus another immunosuppressive drug should usually receive prophylaxis for opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii (see prevention of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia) and vaccines against common infections (eg, streptococcal pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19).
Corticosteroids also increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Key Points
Patients with most autoimmune rheumatic disorders are at increased risk of atherosclerosis.
Patients who receive moderate doses of corticosteroids plus another immunosuppressive drug should usually receive prophylaxis for opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis jirovecii and vaccines against common infections such as streptococcal pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19.
