Risk and outcome of COVID-19 infection in sarcoidosis patients: results of a self-reporting questionnaire.
Robert P. Baughman, Elyse E. Lower, Mindy Buchanan, Paola Rottoli, Marjolein Drent, Jacobo Sellarés, Michelle Terwiel, Marjon Elfferich, Joel Francesqui, María Rita Barriuso Cabrerizo, Nadera Sweiss, F Martone, Tamara Al-Hakim, Marc A. Judson
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that sarcoidosis patients, especially those on immunosuppressive medications, are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection and more severe disease. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed in four languages (English, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish). The questionnaire queried whether patients had been infected with COVID-19 and outcome of the infection. Risk factors for COVID-19 infection were collected. RESULTS: A total of 5200 sarcoidosis patients completed the questionnaire with 116 (2.23%) reporting infection and 18 (15.8%) required hospitalization. Increased hazard ratio (HR) for COVID-19 infection were seen for those with a COVID-19 infected roommate (HR=27.44, p<0.0001), health care provider (HR=2.4, p=0.0001), pulmonary sarcoidosis (HR=2.48, p=0.001), neurosarcoidosis (HR=2.02, p<0.01), or rituximab treatment (HR=5.40, p<0.0001). A higher rate of hospitalization was found for those with underlying heart disease (HR=3.19 (1.297-7.855), p<0.02). No other feature including race, other immunosuppressive agent, age, or underlying condition was associated with a significant increased risk for infection or more severe disease. CONCLUSION: .