Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Nov 7, 2024 4:14:48 GMT
Long-Term Risk of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Connective Tissue Disorders Following COVID-19 - Published Nov 6, 2024
Key Points
Question
Is COVID-19 infection associated with an increased long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders?
Findings
This cohort study analyzing 6 912 427 participants in South Korea, including 3 145 388 with COVID-19 and 3 767 039 controls observed for more than 180 days, revealed significantly increased risks of various autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders following COVID-19, especially among individuals with severe COVID-19 infection, those infected with the Delta variant, and unvaccinated individuals.
Meaning
These findings suggest that long-term monitoring and management of patients is crucial after COVID-19, considering demographic factors, disease severity, and vaccination status, to mitigate these risks.
Abstract
Importance
Few studies have investigated the association between COVID-19 and autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders; however, research with long-term observation remains insufficient.
Objective
To investigate the long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases after COVID-19 over an extended observation period.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This retrospective nationwide population-based study investigated the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency–COVID-19–National Health Insurance Service (K-COV-N) cohort. Individuals with confirmed COVID-19 from October 8, 2020, to December 31, 2022, and controls identified among individuals who participated in the general health examination in 2018 were included in the analysis.
Exposures
Confirmed COVID-19.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Incidence and risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders in patients after COVID-19. Various covariates, such as demographic characteristics, general health data, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity profiles, were balanced using inverse probability weighting.
Results
A total of 6 912 427 participants (53.6% male; mean [SD] age, 53.39 [20.13] years) consisting of 3 145 388 with COVID-19 and 3 767 039 controls with an observational period of more than 180 days were included. Alopecia areata (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.11 [95% CI, 1.07-1.15]), alopecia totalis (AHR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.09-1.42]), vitiligo (AHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.04-1.19]), Behçet disease (AHR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.20-1.74]), Crohn disease (AHR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.14-1.60]), ulcerative colitis (AHR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.04-1.28]), rheumatoid arthritis (AHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.06-1.12]), systemic lupus erythematosus (AHR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.01-1.28]), Sjögren syndrome (AHR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.03-1.25]), ankylosing spondylitis (AHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02-1.20]), and bullous pemphigoid (AHR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.07-2.45]) were associated with higher risk in the COVID-19 group. Subgroup analyses revealed that demographic factors, including male and female sex, age younger than 40 years, and age 40 years and older, exhibited diverse associations with the risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory outcomes. In addition, severe COVID-19 infection requiring intensive care unit admission, the Delta period, and not being vaccinated were associated with higher risk.
Conclusions and Relevance
This retrospective cohort study with an extended follow-up period found associations between COVID-19 and the long-term risk of various autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders. Long-term monitoring and care of patients is crucial after COVID-19, considering demographic factors, disease severity, and vaccination status, to mitigate these risks.
Key Points
Question
Is COVID-19 infection associated with an increased long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders?
Findings
This cohort study analyzing 6 912 427 participants in South Korea, including 3 145 388 with COVID-19 and 3 767 039 controls observed for more than 180 days, revealed significantly increased risks of various autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders following COVID-19, especially among individuals with severe COVID-19 infection, those infected with the Delta variant, and unvaccinated individuals.
Meaning
These findings suggest that long-term monitoring and management of patients is crucial after COVID-19, considering demographic factors, disease severity, and vaccination status, to mitigate these risks.
Abstract
Importance
Few studies have investigated the association between COVID-19 and autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders; however, research with long-term observation remains insufficient.
Objective
To investigate the long-term risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases after COVID-19 over an extended observation period.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This retrospective nationwide population-based study investigated the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency–COVID-19–National Health Insurance Service (K-COV-N) cohort. Individuals with confirmed COVID-19 from October 8, 2020, to December 31, 2022, and controls identified among individuals who participated in the general health examination in 2018 were included in the analysis.
Exposures
Confirmed COVID-19.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Incidence and risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders in patients after COVID-19. Various covariates, such as demographic characteristics, general health data, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity profiles, were balanced using inverse probability weighting.
Results
A total of 6 912 427 participants (53.6% male; mean [SD] age, 53.39 [20.13] years) consisting of 3 145 388 with COVID-19 and 3 767 039 controls with an observational period of more than 180 days were included. Alopecia areata (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.11 [95% CI, 1.07-1.15]), alopecia totalis (AHR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.09-1.42]), vitiligo (AHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.04-1.19]), Behçet disease (AHR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.20-1.74]), Crohn disease (AHR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.14-1.60]), ulcerative colitis (AHR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.04-1.28]), rheumatoid arthritis (AHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.06-1.12]), systemic lupus erythematosus (AHR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.01-1.28]), Sjögren syndrome (AHR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.03-1.25]), ankylosing spondylitis (AHR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.02-1.20]), and bullous pemphigoid (AHR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.07-2.45]) were associated with higher risk in the COVID-19 group. Subgroup analyses revealed that demographic factors, including male and female sex, age younger than 40 years, and age 40 years and older, exhibited diverse associations with the risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory outcomes. In addition, severe COVID-19 infection requiring intensive care unit admission, the Delta period, and not being vaccinated were associated with higher risk.
Conclusions and Relevance
This retrospective cohort study with an extended follow-up period found associations between COVID-19 and the long-term risk of various autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders. Long-term monitoring and care of patients is crucial after COVID-19, considering demographic factors, disease severity, and vaccination status, to mitigate these risks.