Self-management and hospitalization in 615 Swedish patients with Addison's disease during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a retrospective study.
Eur J Endocrinol
; 188(2)2023 Feb 14.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2275134
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) entails a chronic adrenal insufficiency and is associated with an increased risk of severe infections. It is, however, unknown how patients with AAD were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020-2021. This study was aimed at investigating the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with AAD in Sweden, the self-adjustment of medications during the disease, impact on social aspects, and treatment during hospitalization. Additionally, we investigated if there were any possible risk factors for infection and hospitalization. DESIGN ANDMETHODS:
Questionnaires were sent out from April to October 2021 to 813 adult patients with AAD in the Swedish Addison Registry. The questionnaires included 55 questions inquiring about COVID-19 sickness, hospital care, medications, and comorbidities, focusing on the pre-vaccine phase.RESULTS:
Among the 615 included patients with AAD, COVID-19 was reported in 17% of which 8.5% required hospital care. Glucocorticoid treatment in hospitalized patients varied. For outpatients, 85% increased their glucocorticoid dosage during sickness. Older age (P = .002) and hypertension (P = .014) were associated with an increased risk of hospital care, while younger age (P < .001) and less worry about infection (P = .030) were correlated with a higher risk of COVID-19.CONCLUSIONS:
In the largest study to date examining AAD during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed that although one-fifth of the cohort contracted COVID-19, few patients required hospital care. A majority of the patients applied general recommended sick rules despite reporting limited communication with healthcare during the pandemic.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Addison Disease
/
Self-Management
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
/
Vaccines
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal subject:
Endocrinology
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ejendo
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