2021 Update of the EULAR Points to Consider in the Use of Immunomodulatory Therapies in COVID-19 (Part 1)
The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) has updated its points to consider (PTC) in the use of immunomodulatory therapies in Coronavirus disease (Covid).
According to the EULAR protocol, there was a systematic literature review conducted and followed by a consensus meeting of an international multidisciplinary task force.
The EULAR’s latest statements were consolidated through formal voting among members of the expert panel.
The result of the voting shows that the EULAR updated sole overarching principles and PTC.
The new guidelines show that glucocorticoids alone or in combination with tocilizumab are beneficial in Covid cases requiring oxygen therapy and in evere cases.
Moreover, EULAR recommends that the use of Janus kinase inhibitors is promising for Covid patients needing oxygen and those tagged as severe cases.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and convalescent plasma may provide benefit to some Covid infected persons and in selected subgroups of immunosuppressed patients.
There was insufficient solid evidence for the benefit of other immunomodulators.
It has been decided by the EULAR that evidence supports incremental benefit of glucocorticoids alone or combined with tocilizumab/Janus kinase inhibitors in moderate to severe and critical Covid patients.
There are some studies that may reveal the potential application of other therapeutic approaches. Involvement of rheumatologists and these studies should be encouraged
In next week’s column, we will go to the different protocol and PTC, especially those used by patients undergoing immunomodulatory therapy.