Characteristics of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Background Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) predispose to a higher infection risk by modifying the host's immune response, which acts as a key factor in SARS-CoV-2 infection resolution. Recent publications show that IMID patients and its treatments do not worsen the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objectives To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with IMID who required hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondly, to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes between patients who required hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2 infection with IMID and those who were not affected. Methods We performed an observational retrospective cohort study, including admitted patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, treated according to medical criteria and local protocols based on the best available scientific evidence. Clinical data were collected from their electronical clinical history. Statistical analysis determined the differences in the characteristics and clinical outcome of the infection in IMID patients. Results Of a total number of 612 revised patients, 23 had an IMID and 9 of them were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We did not observe a correlation between these two disorders. There was a higher frequency of obesity and cardiovascular disease among IMID patients, but without statistical significance. The clinical outcomes were no different between hospitalized IMID and non IMID patients. Conclusion IMID and its treatments do not determine the outcome of patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection.