Association of prescribed medications with the risk of COVID-19 infection and severity among adults in South Korea. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huh, Kyungmin; Ji, Wonjun; Kang, Minsun; Hong, Jinwook; Bae, Gi Hwan; Lee, Rugyeom; Na, Yewon; Jung, Jaehun
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 104(2021)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Disease risk score -- Prophylaxis -- South Korea -- Treatment; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: No association between drugs of concern, including angiotensin receptor blockers and hydroxychloroquine, and the risk of COVID-19 and its severity. Drugs commonly used for chronic conditions do not increase the risk for COVID-19. Repurposing pharmaceutical agents may not provide significant clinical benefits. Abstract: Objectives: Concerns have been expressed that some drugs may increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, other drugs have generated interest as potential therapeutic agents. Methods: All adults aged ≥18 years who were tested for COVID-19 were included. Exposure was defined as a prescription of study drugs which would have been continued until 7 days prior to test for COVID-19 or later. The outcome measures were the diagnosis of COVID-19 and severe COVID-19. Disease risk score matching and multiple logistic regression was used. Results: Matched claims and testing results were available for 219, 961 subjects, of whom 7, 341 (3.34%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients were matched to 36, 705 controls, and the subset of 878 patients of severe COVID-19 also matched with 1, 927 mild-to-moderate patients. Angiotensin receptor blockers were not associated with either the diagnosis of COVID-19 (adjusted OR [aOR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90–1.15) or severe disease (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.87–1.42). The use of hydroxychloroquine was not associated with a lower risk for COVID-19 (aOR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.53–1.66) or severe disease (aOR, 3.51; 95% CI, 0.76–16.22). Conclusions: In this national claims data-based case-control study, no commonly prescribed medications were associated with risk of COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 severity.