Risk Factors Identified for Repeat COVID-19 in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Jeffrey Sparks, MD, MMSc, and colleagues recently completed the first study of risk factors for repeat COVID-19 in an immunocompromised population. They report that use of rituximab, use of methotrexate, and younger age increased the risk of repeat COVID-19 among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

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Nasal Monoclonal Antibody Suppresses Inflammatory Response in COVID-19

In a new study, a Brigham team determined how nasal foralumab modulates inflammation and describes a potential novel avenue for treating not just COVID-19 but also autoimmune diseases.

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Paxlovid Reduces COVID-19 Hospitalization Among Vaccinated Older Adults

Older man holding glass of water and taking pill, paxlovid covid treatment concept

A Mass General Brigham study suggests nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid) reduces COVID-19 severity even in highly vaccinated adults over the age of 50. In this Q&A, Scott Dryden-Peterson, MD, MSc, and Ann Woolley, MD, MPH, discuss key takeaways from the study and describe best methods for prescribing Paxlovid.

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Relative Hyperglycemia Is a Marker of Disease Severity in COVID-19

Patient in hospital bed with COVID, two nurses in PPE stand beside bed writing on clipboard

The “glycemic gap” has previously been validated as a predictor of severe acute illness. Now, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers have extended the glycemic index’s utility to COVID-19.

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Meta-analysis: Stroke Response Times Early in COVID-19 Depended on Metric, Type of Center

Elderly man in wheelchair in front of hospital windows, with female nurse wearing mask and gloves

Delays in stroke treatment were inevitable during the early months of the COVID-19 epidemic, given virus-related precautions and the massive influx of COVID-19 patients into hospitals. Understanding the precise extent of those delays is important to learn what factors lead to late care.

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Prospective RCT Finds Full-Dose Anticoagulation Better Than Standard Dose in Severe COVID-19

Female patient on respirator in hospital bed with two doctors monitoring

In COVID-PACT, a 2×2 factorial, randomized, controlled trial that enrolled critically ill patients with COVID-19, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital determined full-dose anticoagulation was superior to standard-dose prophylaxis in reducing the proportion of patients experiencing a thrombotic event.

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Brigham Researchers Create COVID-19 Genome Catalog of the Human Microbiome

3D rendering of the human gut microbiome, with different gut species

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital analyzed whole-metagenome shotgun (WMS) sequencing data by reconstructing microbial population genomes directly from microbiome samples of COVID-19 patients and controls. They report the creation of the first high-quality COVID-19–related genome catalog of the gut microbiome.

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STEMI Rare in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19, but Prognosis Is Poor

Close up of white graph paper from electrocardiogram showing ST-elevation

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently completed the first large multicenter study of the incidence of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a complication of COVID-19. STEMI was rare in 0.35% of patients but was associated with poor in-hospital outcomes and high mortality.

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Video Decision Aids Plus Remote Clinician Training Improved Advance Care Planning During COVID-19

Doctor on video call with older female patient

The need for advance care planning (ACP) was especially heightened for older, Black, and Latino/a/x patients at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brigham researchers tested an ACP intervention with video decision aids and remote clinician training, reporting improved ACP documentation rapidly and efficiently.

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Holding DMARDs Not Associated With Greater RA Activity After Additional Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine

Doctor with blue gloves gives vaccine shot to shoulder of a woman

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patient-reported disease activity stayed stable around the time of an additional COVID-19 vaccination dose when disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were held.

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