Risk Factors for COVID-19 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A National, ENEIDA-Based Case–Control Study (COVID-19-EII)
Authors: Zabana Yamile , Marín-Jiménez Ignacio , Rodríguez-Lago Iago , Vera Isabel , Martín-Arranz María Dolores , Guerra Iván , P. Gisbert Javier , Mesonero Francisco , Benítez Olga , Taxonera Carlos , Ponferrada-Díaz Ángel , Piqueras Marta , J. Lucendo Alfredo , Caballol Berta , Mañosa Míriam , Martínez-Montiel Pilar , Bosca-Watts Maia , Gordillo Jordi , Bujanda Luis , Manceñido Noemí , Martínez-Pérez Teresa , López Alicia , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez Cristina , García-López Santiago , Vega Pablo , Rivero Montserrat , Melcarne Luigi , Calvo María , Iborra Marisa , Barreiro de Acosta Manuel , Sicilia Beatriz , Barrio Jesús , Pérez Calle José Lázaro , Busquets David , Pérez-Martínez Isabel , Navarro-Llavat Mercè , Hernández Vicent , Argüelles-Arias Federico , Ramírez Esteso Fernando , Meijide Susana , Ramos Laura , Gomollón Fernando , Muñoz Fernando , Suris Gerard , Ortiz de Zarate Jone , Huguet José María , Llaó Jordina , García-Sepulcre Mariana Fe , Sierra Mónica , Durà Miguel , Estrecha Sandra , Fuentes Coronel Ana , Hinojosa Esther , Olivan Lorenzo , Iglesias Eva , Gutiérrez Ana , Varela Pilar , Rull Núria , Gilabert Pau , Hernández-Camba Alejandro , Brotons Alicia , Ginard Daniel , Sesé Eva , Carpio Daniel , Aceituno Montserrat , Cabriada José Luis , González-Lama Yago , Jiménez Laura , Chaparro María , López-San Román Antonio , Alba Cristina , Plaza-Santos Rocío , Mena Raquel , Tamarit-Sebastián Sonsoles , Ricart Elena , Calafat Margalida , Olivares Sonsoles , Navarro Pablo , Bertoletti Federico , Alonso-Galán Horacio , Pajares Ramón , Olcina Pablo , Manzano Pamela , Domènech Eugeni , Esteve Maria ,   on behalf of the ENEIDA Registry of GETECCU
Published: December 2022

(1) Scant information is available concerning the characteristics that may favour the acquisition of COVID-19 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess these differences between infected and noninfected patients with IBD. (2) This nationwide case–control study evaluated patients with inflammatory bowel disease with COVID-19 (cases) and without COVID-19 (controls) during the period March–July 2020 included in the ENEIDA of GETECCU. (3) A total of 496 cases and 964 controls from 73 Spanish centres were included. No differences were found in the basal characteristics between cases and controls. Cases had higher comorbidity Charlson scores (24% vs. 19%; p = 0.02) and occupational risk (28% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.0001) more frequently than did controls. Lockdown was the only protective measure against COVID-19 (50% vs. 70%; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in the use of systemic steroids, immunosuppressants or biologics between cases and controls. Cases were more often treated with 5-aminosalicylates (42% vs. 34%; p = 0.003). Having a moderate Charlson score (OR: 2.7; 95%CI: 1.3–5.9), occupational risk (OR: 2.9; 95%CI: 1.8–4.4) and the use of 5-aminosalicylates (OR: 1.7; 95%CI: 1.2–2.5) were factors for COVID-19. The strict lockdown was the only protective factor (OR: 0.1; 95%CI: 0.09–0.2). (4) Comorbidities and occupational exposure are the most relevant factors for COVID-19 in patients with IBD. The risk of COVID-19 seems not to be increased by immunosuppressants or biologics, with a potential effect of 5-aminosalicylates, which should be investigated further and interpreted with caution.