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 comorbidities (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.