How to handle patients with autoimmune rheumatic and inflammatory bowel diseases in the COVID-19 era: An expert opinion

: • A correct patient risk stratification is of paramount importance for the proper management of economic and human resources. • Clinical trials are crucial to assessing immunosuppressant prophylaxis and treatment to avoid overuse and treatment shortage. • Controlled studies may highlight a potential preventive role of immunosuppressant in the development of Covid-19 severe forms. • Despite the risk of infection in rheumatic and gastroenterological diseases a conclusive link with COV-19 remains questionable.