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COVID-19 in Individuals with Severe Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Tanash, Hanan LU ; Tahiri Blakaj, Erona LU ; Piitulainen, Eeva LU and Zaigham, Suneela LU (2024) In International Journal of COPD 19. p.2661-2669
Abstract

Background:cThe risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be affected by the presence of certain chronic conditions. It is unknown if individuals with severe hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) faced an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection during the pandemic and if COPD in this population affected the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Aim: Our aim was to investigate COVID-19 outcomes in individuals with severe AATD and to identify if COPD was a risk factor for severe disease. Methods: Between 2021–2023 we interviewed 863 individuals with severe AATD (phenotype PiZZ) included in the Swedish National AATD Registry. Details on COVID-19 outcomes were collected. Cox regression models were used to assess risk of mild and severe... (More)

Background:cThe risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be affected by the presence of certain chronic conditions. It is unknown if individuals with severe hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) faced an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection during the pandemic and if COPD in this population affected the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Aim: Our aim was to investigate COVID-19 outcomes in individuals with severe AATD and to identify if COPD was a risk factor for severe disease. Methods: Between 2021–2023 we interviewed 863 individuals with severe AATD (phenotype PiZZ) included in the Swedish National AATD Registry. Details on COVID-19 outcomes were collected. Cox regression models were used to assess risk of mild and severe COVID-19 by presence of COPD. Results: Of 863 subjects with severe AATD, 231 reported COVID-19 infection (208 mild and 23 severe COVID-19). Subjects with severe COVID-19 were older, had lower FEV1 values, were more likely ever-smokers and had more comorbidities compared to those with mild COVID-19. Subjects with COPD had over a 5-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 compared to those without COPD (HR 5.43 (95% CI 1.61–18.27, p=0.006). After adjusting for potential confounders including smoking habits the risk remained significant (HR 3.72 (95% CI 1.04–13.23, p=0.043)). Conclusion: Most patients with severe AATD exhibit mild symptoms of COVID-19 infection, managing them in the community. Patients who also have COPD are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, COPD, COVID-19
in
International Journal of COPD
volume
19
pages
9 pages
publisher
Dove Medical Press Ltd.
external identifiers
  • scopus:85212307429
  • pmid:39677831
ISSN
1176-9106
DOI
10.2147/COPD.S482323
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e1dc3780-9b90-4154-a455-e3f75bd6a37d
date added to LUP
2025-01-27 12:09:35
date last changed
2025-07-15 01:19:28
@article{e1dc3780-9b90-4154-a455-e3f75bd6a37d,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background:cThe risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) can be affected by the presence of certain chronic conditions. It is unknown if individuals with severe hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) faced an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection during the pandemic and if COPD in this population affected the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Aim: Our aim was to investigate COVID-19 outcomes in individuals with severe AATD and to identify if COPD was a risk factor for severe disease. Methods: Between 2021–2023 we interviewed 863 individuals with severe AATD (phenotype PiZZ) included in the Swedish National AATD Registry. Details on COVID-19 outcomes were collected. Cox regression models were used to assess risk of mild and severe COVID-19 by presence of COPD. Results: Of 863 subjects with severe AATD, 231 reported COVID-19 infection (208 mild and 23 severe COVID-19). Subjects with severe COVID-19 were older, had lower FEV<sub>1</sub> values, were more likely ever-smokers and had more comorbidities compared to those with mild COVID-19. Subjects with COPD had over a 5-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 compared to those without COPD (HR 5.43 (95% CI 1.61–18.27, p=0.006). After adjusting for potential confounders including smoking habits the risk remained significant (HR 3.72 (95% CI 1.04–13.23, p=0.043)). Conclusion: Most patients with severe AATD exhibit mild symptoms of COVID-19 infection, managing them in the community. Patients who also have COPD are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection.</p>}},
  author       = {{Tanash, Hanan and Tahiri Blakaj, Erona and Piitulainen, Eeva and Zaigham, Suneela}},
  issn         = {{1176-9106}},
  keywords     = {{alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency; COPD; COVID-19}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{2661--2669}},
  publisher    = {{Dove Medical Press Ltd.}},
  series       = {{International Journal of COPD}},
  title        = {{COVID-19 in Individuals with Severe Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S482323}},
  doi          = {{10.2147/COPD.S482323}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}