Results from a global registry for rheumatology patients with COVID-19 suggest hospital admission for the infection is less likely for those on tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

But patients on high doses of prednisone (more than 10mg a day) are at greater risk of hospitalisation, the international authors report.

Their analysis of data from the first 600 rheumatology patients recorded in the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry is the largest study to date on the topic.

Some 40 countries were represented but most cases were from North America or Europe, were female, and in the 50-65 age range.