Susceptibility of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease to COVID-19 Compared with Their Households

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Immunosuppressive agents used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) could potentially increase the risk of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019). We aimed to compare COVID-19 frequency in patients with IBD with their households and identify the related risk factors.

METHODS:

 Firstly, a multi-centered, observational study on 2,110 patients with IBD and 2110 age-matched household members was conducted to compare COVID-19 frequency. Secondly, the data of patients with IBD and COVID-19 who had called the COVID-19 hotline were added. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of age, type and severity of IBD, the number of comorbidities, and medications on the frequency of COVID-19 among the patients with IBD.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with IBD and household groups was similar [34 (1.61%) versus 35 (1.65%) (p = 0.995)]. The prevalence of COVID-19 increased from 2.1% to 7.1% in those with three or more comorbidities (p = 0.015) and it was significantly higher in those with severe IBD (p = 0.026). The multivariable analysis only showed a significant association with anti-TNF monotherapy (OR:2.5, CI: 0.97-6.71, p = 0.05), and other medications were not associated with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with IBD was similar to the household members. Only patients with IBD receiving anti-TNF monotherapy had a higher risk of COVID-19 susceptibility. This finding could be attributed to the higher exposure to the virus during administration in health care facilities.