Rituximab is associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective, nationally sampled cohort study from the U.S. National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C)
Main finding · COVID-19-related hospitalizationResult — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 2.1 95% CI 1.5–3.0Authors' conclusion
Our findings can guide patients, providers, and policymakers regarding the increased risks associated with RTX use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (ICD-10 M05.X or M06.X) in the US National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C); median age 63 years, 76% female22,956 COVID-19 positive
- Participants
- 69,549 patients
- Exposure
- Rituximab (RTX) vs conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs)
- RTXn = 364
- Outcome
- Key outcomes: COVID-19-related hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, 30-day mortality, and World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 severity
Methodological detailsnationally sampled, multivariable logistic regression, Results were confirmed in multiple sensitivity analyses.
- Nationally sampled
- Multivariable logistic regression
- Results were confirmed in multiple sensitivity analyses.
Main finding
COVID-19-related hospitalization
Adjusted odds ratio
2.1
95% CI 1.5–3.0
RTXvs csDMARDs
aOR 2.1 (95% CI 1.5–3.0)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aOR (CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| ICU admission | 5.2 (1.8–15.4) | |
| Invasive ventilation | 2.7 (1.4–5.5) | |
| 0.050.21520Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Rituximab is associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective, nationally sampled cohort study from the U.S. National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C). Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 8 December 2022. doi:10.
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