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Susceptibility to COVID‐19 in Patients Treated With Antimalarials: A Population‐Based Study in Emilia‐Romagna, Northern Italy
Author(s) -
Salvarani Carlo,
Mancuso Pamela,
Gradellini Federica,
Viani Nilla,
Pandolfi Paolo,
Reta Massimo,
Carrozzi Giuliano,
Sandri Gilda,
Bajocchi Gianluigi,
Galli Elena,
Muratore Francesco,
Boiardi Luigi,
Pipitone Nicolò,
Cassone Giulia,
Croci Stefania,
Marata Anna Maria,
Costantini Massimo,
Giorgi Rossi Paolo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
arthritis and rheumatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.106
H-Index - 314
eISSN - 2326-5205
pISSN - 2326-5191
DOI - 10.1002/art.41475
Subject(s) - covid-19 , northern italy , medicine , virology , population , geography , environmental health , outbreak , business , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , european union , economic policy
Objective To evaluate the susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in patients with autoimmune conditions treated with antimalarials in a population‐based study. Methods All residents treated with chloroquine (CQ)/hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) from July through December 2019 and living in 3 provinces of Regione Emilia‐Romagna were identified by drug prescription registries and matched with the registry containing all residents living in the same areas who have had swabs and tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV‐2). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Results A total of 4,408 patients were identified. The prevalence of patients receiving antimalarials was 0.85 per 1,000 men and 3.3 per 1,000 women. The cumulative incidence of testing during the study period was 2.7% in the general population and 3.8% among those receiving CQ or HCQ, while the cumulative incidence of testing positive was 0.55% in the general population and 0.70% among those receiving CQ/HCQ. Multivariate models showed that those receiving CQ/HCQ had a slightly higher probability of being tested compared to the general population (OR 1.09 [95% CI 0.94–1.28]), the same probability of being diagnosed as having COVID‐19 (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.66–1.34]), and a slightly lower probability of being positive once tested (OR 0.83 [95% CI 0.56–1.23]). None of the differences were significant. Conclusion Our findings do not support the use of antimalarials as a prophylactic treatment of COVID‐19.