Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with COPD from the United States, South Korea, and Europe

Background: Characterization studies of COVID-19 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited in size and scope. The aim of the study is to provide a large-scale characterization of COVID-19 patients with COPD. Methods: We included thirteen databases contributing data from January-June 2020 from North America (US), Europe and Asia. We defined two cohorts of patients with COVID-19 namely a ‘diagnosed' and ‘hospitalized' cohort. We followed patients from COVID-19 index date to 30 days or death. We performed descriptive analysis and reported the frequency of characteristics and outcomes among COPD patients with COVID-19. Results: The study included 934,778 patients in the diagnosed COVID-19 cohort and 177,201 in the hospitalized COVID-19 cohort. Observed COPD prevalence in the diagnosed cohort ranged from 3.8% (95%CI 3.5-4.1%) in French data to 22.7% (95%CI 22.4-23.0) in US data, and from 1.9% (95%CI 1.6-2.2) in South Korean to 44.0% (95%CI 43.1-45.0) in US data, in the hospitalized cohorts. COPD patients in the hospitalized cohort had greater comorbidity than those in the diagnosed cohort, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Mortality was higher in COPD patients in the hospitalized cohort and ranged from 7.6% (95%CI 6.9-8.4) to 32.2% (95%CI 28.0-36.7) across databases. ARDS, acute renal failure, cardiac arrhythmia and sepsis were the most common outcomes among hospitalized COPD patients. Conclusion: COPD patients with COVID-19 have high levels of COVID-19-associated comorbidities and poor COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is required to identify patients with COPD at high risk of worse outcomes. Copyright: © 2023 Moreno-Martos D et al.

Impact of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids on COVID-19 risk and outcome-a potential protective effect on severity of disease and survival

Background: Inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) is an important therapeutic modality in chronic respiratory diseases, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are severely affected by COVID-19. The role of ICS in COVID-19 has been studied, however, ambiguities remain, especially for COPD patients. Aim(s): To investigate whether ongoing regular exposure to ICS affects risk, severity or survival in SARS-CoV-2 infection, using a large linked Swedish population register database. Method(s): From January to December 2020, we studied in two study populations (general population and COPD patients) three different study cohorts: 1. the whole group, 2. COVID-19-diagnosed individuals, and 3. hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Ongoing regular exposure to ICS was defined as >=1 ICS prescriptions during the year before the index date. Studied outcomes were: COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization, intensive care and death. Result(s): After matching, in the general population ICS therapy was not associated with an increased onset or COVID-19, hospitalization, ICU admission or fatal outcomes, both in the general cohort and COPD patients group. Similarly, in patients who acquired COVID-19, ICS therapy was not associated with hospitalization, ICU admission or death in both groups. A slight increase for ICU admission was observed in the hospitalized general patients cohort who received ICS therapy (H.R. 1.22 [1.05, 1.42]), however, COPD patients did not have an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Conclusion(s): Patients receiving ICS therapy did not have an increased risk for acquiring Covid 19, hospitalization, ICU admission or fatal outcomes.

An intersectional analysis of sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination: A nationwide register-based study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Studies on sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the general population are still limited and mostly focused on older adults. This study examined sociodemographic differences in Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the total Swedish population aged 18-64 years. METHODS: National Swedish register data within the SCIFI-PEARL project were used to cross-sectionally investigate sociodemographic differences in Covid-19 vaccination among Swedish adults aged 18-64 years (n = 5,987,189) by 12 October 2021. Using logistic regression models, analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, region of residence, history of Covid-19, and comorbidities. An intersectional analysis approach including several cross-classified subgroups was used to further address the complexity of sociodemographic disparities in vaccination uptake. FINDINGS: By 12 October 2021, 76·0% of the Swedish population 18-64 years old had received at least two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, an additional 5·5% had received only one dose, and 18·5% were non-vaccinated. Non-vaccinated individuals were, compared to vaccinated, more often younger, male, had a lower income, were not gainfully employed, and/or were born outside Sweden. The social patterning for vaccine dose two was similar, but weaker, than for dose one. After multivariable adjustments, findings remained but were attenuated indicating the need to consider different sociodemographic factors simultaneously. The intersectional analysis showed a large variation in vaccine uptake ranging from 32% to 96% in cross-classified subgroups, reflecting considerable sociodemographic heterogeneity in vaccination coverage. INTERPRETATION: Our study, addressing the entire Swedish population aged 18-64 years, showed broad sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccine uptake but also wide heterogeneities in coverage. The intersectional analysis approach indicates that focusing on specific sociodemographic factors in isolation and group average risks without considering the heterogeneity within such groups will risk missing the full variability of vaccine coverage. FUNDING: SciLifeLab / Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Swedish Research Council, Swedish government ALF agreement, FORMAS.

The burden of disease due to COVID-19 in Sweden: a disability-adjusted life years (DALY) study : Patricia Ernst

Background Many countries have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Sweden, which has been in the spotlight regarding its policies and their impact on mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is of high interest to measure the disease burden of COVID-19 in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs have two main components: the years of life lost through premature death (YLL) and the number of years lived with disability (YLD). This study aims to measure DALYs due to COVID-19 in Sweden. Methods This study used data from the nationwide multi-register observational study SCIFI-PEARL (Swedish COVID-19 Investigation for Future Insights - a Population Epidemiology Approach using Register Linkage) covering the entire Swedish population. The methodology used in the modelling and calculation of DALYs was based on the Global Burden of Disease guidelines, using Sweden-specific life tables for estimated life expectancies. Results In Sweden, 152877 DALYs were lost to COVID-19 between March 2020 and October 2021, corresponding to 1447/ 100 000, 99,3% of which was attributed to YLL. DALYs loss occurred mainly among elderly groups with 66,78 % of DALYs being attributed to individuals above 70 years old. 57,6% of the lost DALYs occurred among men that lost more DALYs compared to females in all age groups. Conclusions Similar to other countries, the burden of COVID-19 in Sweden is concentrated mainly among the elderly, which contributed to the highest DALY loss due to mortality. Yet, DALY loss remains lower for COVID-19 compared to other major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. The contribution of YLD was minimal. However, YLD due to post-Covid is not well understood and long-term disability is likely still underestimated. Key messages • The burden of COVID-19 was mainly due to premature mortality in the older age groups. • More research is needed especially on post-COVID disability to derive better estimates of YLD.

Occupational role and Covid-19 among foreign-born healthcare workers: a registry-based study : Chioma Nwaru

Background Studies have shown an elevated risk of Covid-19 among foreign-born healthcare workers (HCWs), but data on the distribution of the risk in different occupational roles are lacking. Such data are needed for the effective control of Covid-19 risk among HCWs. Here, we examined the risk of Covid-19 infection and hospitalization in foreign-born HCWs in different occupational roles in Sweden. Methods We prospectively linked occupational data (2018-2019) of 783950 employed foreign-born (20-65 years) workers to Covid-19 data registered between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2021. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the risk of Covid-19 infection and hospitalization in foreign-born HCWs in eight different occupational groups compared to non-HCWs, and to assess whether the associations varied by region of birth. The analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, comorbidities, and Covid-19 vaccination. Results All HCWs had a higher risk of Covid-19 outcomes than non-HCWs, but the risk differed by occupational role. Assistant nurses had the highest risk both for Covid-19 infection (HR 1.80;95%CI 1.74-1.87) and hospitalization (HR 1.85;95%CI 1.57-2.18);other allied HCWs had the lowest risk (infection: HR 1.23;95%CI 1.11-1.36;hospitalization: HR 1.02;95%CI 0.63-1.67)). In some healthcare occupations, the relative risk of Covid-19 varied by region of birth. For example, physicians and dental nurses/hygienists of African and Asian origin had a higher risk of Covid-19 infection than European-born in the same occupation. In contrast, European-born assistant nurses had a greater risk of both outcomes than non-European-born in the same occupation. Conclusions The risk of Covid-19 among foreign-born HCWs varied by occupational role and region of birth. Public health efforts that target occupational exposures as well as incorporate culturally responsive measures may help to reduce Covid-19 risk among foreign-born HCWs. Key messages Risk of Covid-19 among foreign-born healthcare workers varied by occupational role and region of birth. Multiple approaches are needed to protect this population group against Covid-19.

An intersectional analysis of sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination: a nationwide register-based study in Sweden

Background Studies on sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the general population are still limited and mostly focused on older adults. This study examined sociodemographic differences in Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the total Swedish population aged 18-64 years. Methods National Swedish register data within the SCIFI-PEARL project were used to cross-sectionally investigate sociodemographic differences in Covid-19 vaccination among Swedish adults aged 18-64 years (n=5,987,189) as of 12 October 2021. Using logistic regression models, analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, region of residence, history of Covid-19, and comorbidities. An intersectional analysis approach including several cross-classified subgroups was used to further address the complexity of sociodemographic disparities in vaccination uptake. Findings By 12 October 2021, 76·0% of the Swedish population 18-64 years old had received at least two doses of Covid-19 vaccine, an additional 5·5% had received only one dose, and 18·5% were non-vaccinated. Non-vaccinated individuals were, compared to vaccinated, more often younger, male, had a lower income, were not gainfully employed, and/or were born outside Sweden. The social patterning for vaccine dose two was similar, but weaker, than for dose one. After multivariable adjustments, findings remained but were attenuated indicating the need to consider different sociodemographic factors simultaneously. The intersectional analysis showed a large variation in vaccine uptake ranging from 32% to 96% in cross-classified subgroups, reflecting considerable sociodemographic heterogeneity in vaccination coverage. Interpretation Our study, addressing the entire Swedish population aged 18-64 years, showed broad sociodemographic disparities in Covid-19 vaccine uptake but also wide heterogeneities in coverage. The intersectional analysis approach indicates that focusing on specific sociodemographic factors in isolation and group average risks without considering the heterogeneity within such groups will risk missing the full variability of vaccine coverage. Funding SciLifeLab / Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Swedish Research Council, Swedish government ALF agreement, FORMAS.