Predictors of hospitalization in patients with rheumatic disease and COVID-19 in Ireland: data from the COVID-19 global rheumatology alliance registry

Objectives: Given the limited data regarding the risk of hospitalization in patients with rheumatic disease and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Ireland, we used the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (GRA) registry data to study outcomes and their predictors. The primary objective was to explore potential predictors of hospitalization.

Methods: We examined data on patients and their disease-related characteristics entered in the COVID-19 GRA provider registry from Ireland (from 24 March 2020 to 31 August 2020). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of demographic and clinical characteristics with hospitalization.

Results: Of 105 patients, 47 (45.6%) were hospitalized and 10 (9.5%) died. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01, 1.10], number of co-morbidities (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.11, 3.35) and glucocorticoid use (OR = 15.01, 95% CI 1.77, 127.16) were significantly associated with hospitalization. A diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis was associated with lower odds of hospitalization (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.32).

Conclusion: Increasing age, co-morbidity burden and glucocorticoid use were associated with hospitalization, whereas a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis was associated with lower odds of hospitalization.