Predictors of COVID-19 severity and outcomes in Indian patients with rheumatic diseases: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

There is dearth of data regarding the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) patients from Southeast Asia. We report the clinicodemographic profile and identify predictors of COVID-19 outcomes in a large cohort of Indian RMD patients.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study, carried out at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (a tertiary care centre in India), included RMD patients affected with COVID-19 between April 2020 and October 2021. Demographic and clinical and laboratory details of COVID-19 and underlying RMD were noted. Predictors of mortality, hospitalization and severe COVID-19 were identified using stepwise multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 64 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-infected RMD patients [age 41.5 (19-85) years; 46 (72%) females] were included. Eighteen (28%) patients had severe COVID-19. Twenty-three (36%) required respiratory support [11 (17%) required mechanical ventilation]. Thirty-six (56%) patients required hospitalization [median duration of stay 10 (1-42) days]; 17 (27%) required intensive care unit admission. Presence of co-morbidities [odds ratio (OR) = 4.5 (95% CI: 1.4, 14.7)] was found to be an independent predictor of COVID-19 severity. Co-morbidities [OR = 10.7 (95% CI: 2.5, 45.4)] and underlying lupus [OR = 7.0 (95% CI: 1.2, 40.8)] were independently associated with COVID-19 hospitalization. Ongoing rheumatic disease activity [OR = 6.8 (95% CI: 1.3, 35.4)] and underlying diagnosis of lupus [OR = 7.1 (95% CI: 1.2, 42.4)] and SSc [OR = 9.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 61.8)] were found to be strong independent predictors of mortality. Age, sex, underlying RMD-associated interstitial lung disease and choice of immunosuppressive therapy were not associated with COVID-19 severity or adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The presence of co-morbidities was independently associated with COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Ongoing rheumatic disease activity and the presence of lupus or SSc independently predicted mortality. Age, sex, type of immunosuppressive therapy and presence of RMD-associated interstitial lung disease did not affect COVID-19 severity or outcomes in Indian RMD patients.