Fig. 1: Clinical challenges faced by patients and health-care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussions within the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) have identified a number of clinical challenges faced by patients with rare connective tissue diseases (rCTDs) and the health-care professionals treating them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some concerns relate to the fear and/or consequences of these patients contracting COVID-19, whereas others reflect changes to clinical protocols implemented to prevent or control SARS-CoV-2 transmission in clinics.