No increased risk of (severe) COVID-19 among IBD patients

An Israeli cohort study concluded that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not at increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. In addition, medication that was used for IBD disease activity did not increase the risk of infection. The authors therefore concluded that patients with IBD should be encouraged to continue the prior management of their disease.

To assess the COVID-19 burden among IBD patients in 2020, a questionnaire was provided to members of the Israel Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Foundation between November 2020 and January 2021. A total of 2,152 IBD patients completed the questionnaire (median age 39 years; 60.5% female). Dr Vered Richter (Tel Aviv University, Israel) presented the results of the study [1].

The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among IBD patients (4.8%) was significantly lower than the infection rate in the general Israeli population (P=0.033). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a younger age, an elevated BMI, and diabetes were associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among IBD patients. In contrast, treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid or other IBD therapies were significantly associated with a decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Smoking and hypertension also showed a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Dr Richter argued that the protective effect of smoking has been discussed in the literature and that anti-hypertensive medications could explain the link between hypertension and a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population. IBD disease severity was not associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe COVID-19 was limited among these patients; only 3.8% was hospitalised. Furthermore, this study showed that corticosteroids and immunomodulators were not related to COVID-19 severity in this population. According to Dr Richter, this is in contrast with the existing evidence.

1. Richter V, et al. Effect of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Related Medications on COVID-19 Incidence, Disease Severity, and Outcome - The Israeli Experience. DOP77, ECCO 2021 Virtual Congress, 2-3 & 8-10 July.

 

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Posted on 2 July 202117 May 2024