Association Between Genetic Predictors for C-Reactive Protein and Venous Thromboembolism With Severe Adverse Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outcomes

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:. To assess if genetic predictors for C-reactive protein and risk of venous thromboembolism are associated with severe outcomes among individuals who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. DESIGN:. Retrospective cohort study. SETTING:. U.K. Biobank. PATIENTS OR SUBJECTS:. U.K. Biobank participants with European ancestry who were recorded to have a positive polymerase chain reaction test result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 between March 16, 2020, and August 14, 2020. INTERVENTIONS:. Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. We constructed separate genetic risk scores for C-reactive protein and venous thromboembolism consisting of 56 and 37 genetic variants that have been significantly associated with venous thromboembolism and C-reactive protein, respectively. Among 1,126 individuals who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019, 48% had a coronavirus disease 2019–related hospitalization, 16% received critical care support, 10% had critical respiratory support, and 21% died from coronavirus disease 2019. Genetic predisposition to high C-reactive protein concentrations was marginally associated with a lower risk of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73–1.00; p = 0.05). No other associations were significant. CONCLUSIONS:. Our results do not support associations between polygenic risk for elevated blood C-reactive protein concentrations or venous thromboembolism and severe coronavirus disease 2019 health outcomes. Thus, considering genetic predisposition associated with C-reactive protein concentrations or venous thromboembolism risk is not meaningful for predicting severe coronavirus disease 2019 health outcomes.