Outcomes of COVID-19 Omicron variant in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide Greek cohort study
Authors' conclusion
RA remains a risk factor for hospitalization and death in an era of a relatively low COVID-19 fatality rate
Study context
- Population
- RA patients under treatment and matched general population comparators in Greece, 1 January 2022–30 June 2022 (Omicron period)
- Exposure
- RA patients under treatment vs matched general population comparators
- RAn = 34,182
- Outcome
- Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalizations and deaths
Methodological detailsnationwide, matched (1:5) on age, sex and region of domicile
- Nationwide
- Matched (1:5) on age, sex and region of domicile
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death
RA
16.29%
5569 of 34 182
Each group vs comparatorsEstimate (95% CI)
RA
IRR (infection) 1.19(1.16–1.23)
RA
IRR (hospitalization) 2.0(1.82–2.24)
RA
IRR (death) 1.81(1.44–2.27)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitalization in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, adjusted for age, sex, vaccinations, prior COVID-19 and anti-viral medications (logistic regression) | 2.02 (1.79–2.27) | |
| Death in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, adjusted for age, sex, vaccinations, prior COVID-19 and anti-viral medications (logistic regression) | 1.73 (1.36–2.20) | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
Hospitalization and death by anti-rheumatic treatment among infected RA patients
| OR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| RituximabHospitalization | 6.12 (2.89–12.92) | |
| RituximabDeath | 12.06 (3.90–37.31) | |
| JAK inhibitors | 2.18 (1.56–3.06) | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
- Hospitalization and death by anti-rheumatic treatment among infected RA patients: hospitalization (JAK inhibitors increased only hospitalization risk)
Vaccination coverage and anti-viral medication use
- Vaccination coverage, RA vs comparators
- 89% vs 84%
- Use of anti-viral medications, RA vs comparators
- 2.37% vs 1.08
Original publication
Outcomes of COVID-19 Omicron variant in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide Greek cohort study. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 19 July 2023. doi:10.
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