Factors associated with clinical progression to severe COVID-19 in people with cystic fibrosis: A global observational study.

BACKGROUND: This international study aimed to characterise the impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with cystic fibrosis and investigate factors associated with severe outcomes. Methods Data from 22 countries prior to 13th December 2020 and the introduction of vaccines were included. It was de-identified and included patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, outcomes and sequalae following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with clinical progression to severe COVID-19, using the primary outcome of hospitalisation with supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 was reported in 1555 people with CF, 1452 were included in the analysis. One third were aged <18 years, and 9.4% were solid-organ transplant recipients. 74.5% were symptomatic and 22% were admitted to hospital. In the non-transplanted cohort, 39.5% of patients with ppFEV1<40% were hospitalised with oxygen verses 3.2% with ppFEV >70%: a 17-fold increase in odds. Worse outcomes were independently associated with older age, non-white race, underweight body mass index, and CF-related diabetes. Prescription of highly effective CFTR modulator therapies was associated with a significantly reduced odds of being hospitalised with oxygen (AOR 0.43 95%CI 0.31-0.60 p<0.001). Transplanted patients were hospitalised with supplemental oxygen therapy (21.9%) more often than non-transplanted (8.8%) and was independently associated with the primary outcome (Adjusted OR 2.45 95%CI 1.27-4.71 p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that there is a protective effect from the use of CFTR modulator therapy and that people with CF from an ethnic minority are at more risk of severe infection with SARS-CoV-2.

The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 in 181 people with cystic fibrosis.

With the growing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we need to better understand its impact in specific patient groups like those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We report on 181 people with CF (32 post-transplant) from 19 countries diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 prior to 13 June 2020. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 appears to exhibit a similar spectrum of outcomes to that seen in the general population, with 11 people admitted to intensive care (7 post-transplant), and 7 deaths (3 post-transplant). A more severe clinical course may be associated with older age, CF-related diabetes, lower lung function in the year prior to infection, and having received an organ transplant. Whilst outcomes in this large cohort are better than initially feared overall, possibly due to a protective effect of the relatively younger age of the CF population compared to other chronic conditions, SARS-CoV-2 is not a benign disease for all people in this patient group.

A multinational report to characterise SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with cystic fibrosis.

Information is lacking on the clinical impact of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, on people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Our aim was to characterise SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with cystic fibrosis. METHODS: Anonymised data submitted by each participating country to their National CF Registry was reported using a standardised template, then collated and summarised. RESULTS: 40 cases have been reported across 8 countries. Of the 40 cases, 31 (78%) were symptomatic for SARS-CoV-2 at presentation, with 24 (60%) having a fever. 70% have recovered, 30% remain unresolved at time of reporting, and no deaths have been submitted. CONCLUSIONS: This early report shows good recovery from SARS-CoV-2 in this heterogeneous CF cohort. The disease course does not seem to differ from the general population, but the current numbers are too small to draw firm conclusions and people with CF should continue to strictly follow public health advice to protect themselves from infection.