COVID-19 infection and complications according to ABO blood group in the elderly: A population-based subcohort and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is reported that ABO antibodies have a role in COVID-19 infection and severity; however, ABO antibody titres vary with advanced age. The aim was to analyse the association between ABO blood group and risk of COVID-19 infection and complications in elderly patients, and to contrast this data with findings in the overall adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of the Navarre (Spain) population aged ≥60 years and a meta-analysis of published studies including participants of ≥60 years were carried out. RESULTS: In the Navarre elderly population, a higher risk of COVID-19 infection was identified in the A versus non-A and O group and lower risk in O versus non-O, with no significant association between hospitalization, intensive care unit admission or mortality and any of the blood groups, results that coincide with those of the overall Navarre adult population. The meta-analyses using studies that included participants of ≥60 years demonstrated a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality in A versus non-A and a lower mortality risk with B versus non-B. Similar mortality results were found in the meta-analyses of the overall adult population. CONCLUSION: There are no relevant differences between the overall adult population and population aged ≥60 years in the risk of COVID-19 infection and severity according to ABO blood groups, suggesting that age-related changes in ABO would be of limited clinical significance.