International Journal of Public Health (Aug 2023)

Incidence and Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in People With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

  • Eva S. L. Pedersen,
  • Leonie D. Schreck,
  • Leonie D. Schreck,
  • Myrofora Goutaki,
  • Myrofora Goutaki,
  • Sara Bellu,
  • Fiona Copeland,
  • Jane S. Lucas,
  • Jane S. Lucas,
  • Marcel Zwahlen,
  • Claudia E. Kuehni,
  • Claudia E. Kuehni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605561
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 68

Abstract

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Objectives: There is little data on SARS-CoV-2 in people with rare chronic diseases. We studied incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 and its risk factors in people with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) from May 2020 to May 2022.Methods: We used self-reported questionnaire data from the COVID-PCD study at baseline or during weekly follow-ups. We studied factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 and symptoms using Poisson regression.Results: By May 2022, 728 people participated (40% male, median age 27 years; range 0–85). 87 (12%) reported SARS-CoV-2 at baseline or during follow-up and 62 people reported an incident SARS-CoV-2 infection during 716 person-years (incidence rate 9 per 100 person years). The strongest predictors for reporting SARS-CoV-2 were exposure during periods where Delta variant was dominant (IRR 4.52, 95% CI 1.92–10.6) and Omicron variants (IRR 13.3, 95% CI 5.2–33.8). Severity was mild; 12 (14%) were asymptomatic and 75 (86%) had symptoms among whom four were hospitalized. None needed intensive care and nobody died.Conclusion: The COVID-PCD study participants did not have a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections nor higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease than people from the general population.

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