Dataset Information

Omicron variant infection in inflammatory rheumatological conditions - outcomes from a COVID-19 naive population in Aotearoa New Zealand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to geographic isolation and border controls Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) attained high levels of population coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination before widespread transmission of COVID-19. We describe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Omicron variant) in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in this unique setting.

Methods

This observational study included people with inflammatory rheumatic disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection in AoNZ between 1 February and 30 April 2022. Data were collected via the Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry including demographic and rheumatic disease characteristics, and COVID-19 vaccination status and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore associations of demographic and clinical factors with COVID-19 hospitalisation and death.

Findings

Of the 1599 cases included, 96% were from three hospitals that systematically identified people with inflammatory rheumatic disease and COVID-19. At time of COVID-19, 1513 cases (94.6%) had received at least two COVID-19 vaccinations. Hospitalisation occurred for 104 (6.5%) cases and 10 (0.6%) patients died. Lower frequency of hospitalisation was seen in cases who had received at least two vaccinations (5.9%), compared to the unvaccinated (20.6%) or those with a single vaccine dose (10.7%). In multivariable adjusted models, people with gout or connective tissue diseases (CTD) had increased risk of the combined outcome of hospitalisation/death, compared to people with inflammatory arthritis. Glucocorticoid and rituximab use were associated with increased rates of hospitalisation/death. All patients who died had three or more co-morbidities or were over 60 years old.

Interpretation

In this cohort with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and high vaccination rates, severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant were relatively infrequent. The outcome of Omicron variant infection among vaccinated but SARS-CoV-2 infection-naive people with inflammatory rheumatic disease without other known risk factors were favourable.

Funding

Financial support from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) included management of COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance funds.

SUBMITTER: Brooks J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10372177 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Omicron variant infection in inflammatory rheumatological conditions - outcomes from a COVID-19 naive population in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Brooks Jonathon J Montgomery Anna A Dalbeth Nicola N Sapsford Mark M Ngan Kee Rachel R Cooper Amy A Quincey Vicki V Bhana Suleman S Gore-Massy Monique M Hausmann Jonathan J Liew Jean J Machado Pedro M PM Sufka Paul P Sirotich Emily E Robinson Philip P Wallace Zachary Z Yazdany Jinoos J Grainger Rebecca R

The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific 20230718

<h4>Background</h4>Due to geographic isolation and border controls Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) attained high levels of population coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccination before widespread transmission of COVID-19. We describe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Omicron variant) in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases in this unique setting.<h4>Methods</h4>This observational study included people with inflammatory rheumatic disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection in AoNZ between 1 February an ...[more]

PMID: 37520279

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Dataset Information

Omicron variant infection in inflammatory rheumatological conditions - outcomes from a COVID-19 naive population in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background

Methods

Findings

Interpretation

Funding

Publications

Omicron variant infection in inflammatory rheumatological conditions - outcomes from a COVID-19 naive population in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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