Incidence, outcomes, and impact of COVID-19 on inflammatory bowel disease: propensity matched research network analysis

Abstract

Background: Accurate estimates for the risk of COVID-19 in IBD, and an understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on IBD course and the risk of incident post-infectious IBD are needed. Aims: To estimate the risk of COVID-19 in IBD and study its impact on IBD course and the risk of incident post-infectious IBD. Methods: A retrospective propensity score matched cohort study utilising multi-institutional research network TriNetX. COVID-19 patients with and without IBD were identified to quantify the risk of COVID-19 in patients with IBD, COVID-19 outcomes in patients with IBD and the impact of COVID-19 on IBD disease course. The risk of incident post-infectious IBD in COVID-19 patients was compared to the population not infected with COVID-19 during a similar time period. Results: Incidence rate ratio for COVID-19 was lower in IBD patients compared to the non-IBD population (0.79, 95% CI: 0.72-0.86). COVID-19-infected patients with IBD were at increased risk for requiring hospitalisation compared to non-IBD population (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.34) with no differences in need for mechanical ventilation or mortality. Patients with IBD on steroids were at an increased risk for critical care need (RR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.29-3.82). Up to 7% of patients with IBD infected with COVID-19 suffered an IBD flare 3-months post-infection. Risk for incident IBD post-COVID was lower than that seen in the non-COVID population (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54-0.65). Conclusion: We observed no increase in risk for COVID-19 amongst patients with IBD or risk for de novo IBD after COVID-19 infection. We confirmed prior observations regarding the impact of steroid use on COVID-19 severity in patients with IBD.