May 7, 2021

Risk of COVID-19 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A National Veterans  Affairs Matched Cohort Study in At-Risk Individuals

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

Keywords (Tags): risk factors

• A matched cohort study of US veterans (N=66,772) found that persons with rheumatoid arthritis had  a higher risk of COVID-19 disease (HR=1.25) and COVID-19 associated hospitalization or death  (HR=1.35) compared to age-, sex-, and Veterans Administration-site-matched persons without  rheumatoid arthritis. Persons on immunosuppressant drugs (DMARDS and prednisone) had the highest risk of COVID-19 and severe disease after controlling for demographics, other comorbidities,  healthcare utilization, and county-level COVID-19 incidence. The authors suggest that persons with rheumatoid arthritis should be prioritized for COVID-19 prevention and management. 

England et al. (May 5, 2021). Risk of COVID-19 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A National Veterans  Affairs Matched Cohort Study in At-Risk Individuals. Arthritis & Rheumatology.  https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41800