Do all patients with rheumatic Diseases have a higher risk of COVID 19? Initial results from the Karnataka Rheumatology Association COVID 19 Cohort Study (KRACC)
Indian Journal of Rheumatology
; 16(2):164-168, 2021.
Article
in English
| Scopus | ID: covidwho-1311423
ABSTRACT
Background:
Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) may be at an increased risk for COVID-19 infection and poorer outcomes when compared with the general population. We undertook this study to estimate the risk of COVID-19 infection in our AIRD population and determine parameters which contribute to its occurrence.Methods:
We prospectively recruited all consecutive AIRD patients on immunosuppressive therapy from 14 specialist rheumatology centers across south Indian state of Karnataka during current COVID-19 pandemic and followed them longitudinally.Results:
Among 3807 participants, the majority were women (2.91), mean age was 43.8 (+14.3) years, rheumatoid arthritis (52.1%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (14.8%) were the most frequent diagnosis. Twenty-three (0.6%) patients contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection. Age >60 years (P = 0.01), diabetes (P = 0.009), hypertension (P = 0.001), preexisting lung disease (P = 0.0002), current prescription of either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blockers (P = 0.01), and higher glucocorticoids dosage (P = 0.002) were identified as potential risk factors in our cohort. The past use of cyclophosphamide (P = 0.0001) or mycophenolate mofeti (P = 0.003) or biologics (P = 0.001) also had a significant association with COVID-19 infection. Hydroxychloroquine use did not influence occurrence or outcome. The presence of underlying lung disease (relative risk - 3.08, 95% confidence interval - 1.21, 8.44, P = 0.029) was the only independent risk factor associated with the risk of COVID positivity in the multivariate analysis. Incidence rate of COVID-19 infection was similar to that of the general population (P = 0.22).Conclusions:
The incidence of SARS CoV-2 infection in AIRD population is comparable to the general population. Underlying lung disease was the most important risk factor apart from older age, diabetes, hypertension, and a higher glucocorticoid dosage. © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
Scopus
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian Journal of Rheumatology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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