Risk factors associated with COVID-19 in systemic lupus erythematosus: Results from a longitudinal prospective cohort. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patil, Abhishek; Shobha, Vineeta; Shenoy, Padmanabha; S, Chandrashekara; Kumar, Sharath; Daware, Manisha; Haridas, Vikram; Janardana, Ramya; Pinto, Benzeeta; Kodishala, Chanakya; Ramaswamy, Subramanian; S, Nagaraj; Jain, Vikramraj; Singh, Yogesh Preet; Singhai, Shweta; C, Srinivasa; Jois, Ramesh; Rao, Vijay K; Dharmapalaiah, Chethana; KN, Sangeetha; Balebail, Dharmanand
• Is Part Of: Lupus. Volume 32:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 560
• Page End: 564
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: autoimmune rheumatic diseases -- SARS-CoV-2 infection -- risk factors -- outcome -- systemic lupus erythematosus; Systemic lupus erythematosus -- Periodicals; 616.772005
• DOI: 10.1177/09612033231155837
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-2033

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) have a higher risk of infection due to dysregulated immune system as well as long-term use of immunosuppressants (IS). This could influence the risk of COVID-19 and its outcome. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal prospective study across 15 rheumatology centres during the first wave of the pandemic to understand the risk factors contributing to COVID-19 in SLE patients. During the 6 months follow-up, those who tested positive for COVID-19, their clinical course and outcome information were recorded. Results: Through the study period (April–December 2020), 36/1379 lupus patients (2.9%) developed COVID-19. On analysing the COVID-19 positive versus negative cohort during the study period, male gender (adjusted RR 3.72, 95% C.I. 1.85, 7.51) and diabetes (adjusted RR 2.94, 95% C.I. 1.28, 6.79) emerged as the strongest risk factors for COVID-19, in the adjusted analysis. There was no significant influence of organ involvement, hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoid dosage (prednisolone< 7.5 mg or ≥ 7.5 mg/day) or IS on the risk of COVID-19. There was only one death (1/36) among the lupus patients due to COVID-19. Conclusion: Traditional risk factors rather than lupus disease process or IS influenced the risk of COVID-19 in our cohort.