Frequency of new-onset various autoimmune diseases in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61529/idjp.v35i2.534Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with long-term immune dysregulation and may predispose recovered patients to development of autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to determine the frequency of new-onset autoimmune diseases in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia. The aim of this is to determine the frequency of new-onset various autoimmune diseases in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia.
Material and Methods: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of General Medicine, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from 02 December 2025 to 02 April 2026. A total of 191 patients aged 18–70 years with documented recovery from COVID-19 pneumonia for at least six months were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of autoimmune disease underwent targeted evaluation under specialist guidance.
Results: Mean age was 44.2 ± 13.6 years, while 108 (56.5%) were males. New-onset autoimmune diseases were identified in 49 (25.7%) patients. Autoimmune thyroiditis was the most frequent disorder in 14 (7.3%) patients, followed by alopecia areata in 11 (5.8%), rheumatoid arthritis in 10 (5.2%), psoriasis in 6 (3.1%), systemic lupus erythematosus in 3 (1.6%), and ANCA-associated vasculitis in 1 (0.5%) patient. Autoimmune diseases were significantly more common in females (p=0.048) and in patients with comorbidities (p=0.041).
Conclusion: It is concluded that a considerable proportion of patients with a history of COVID-19 pneumonia were later diagnosed with new-onset autoimmune diseases, likely related to persistent immune dysregulation.
Keywords: COVID-19 pneumonia, Autoimmune diseases, Immune dysregulation, Post-COVID complications
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