Rising incidence of systemic autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: a geographical cohort study
Authors' conclusion
We observed a temporary decline in diagnosis in 2020, followed by a substantial increase from 2021 to 2023.
Study context
- Population
- Resident population of Lazio, central Italy (6.5 million inhabitants), 2017–2023; Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) from disease-specific exemption codes16,254 AIIRD diagnoses
- Exposure
- Pandemic years vs average prepandemic period
- Outcome
- Annual AIIRD diagnosis rates (IRR vs average prepandemic rates)
Methodological detailsgeographical cohort, population-based, Poisson regression
- Geographical cohort
- Population-based
- Poisson regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
AIIRD incidence vs prepandemic
Prepandemic
4.81
average incidence · 95% CI 4.69–4.92 · per 10 000 inhabitants
Each group vs prepandemicIncidence rate ratio (95% CI)P value
2020
0.68(0.64–0.72)
202322% increase
1.22(1.17–1.28)
P < 0.001Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Rising incidence of systemic autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: a geographical cohort study. RMD Open. Published 12 June 2025. doi:10.
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