Study 1: We found that taking mycophenolate mofetil was associated with a higher risk of being hospitalized or needing ICU care for COVID-19. We also found that glucocorticoids, another type of immune-modulating drug, were linked to a higher risk of death within 60 days of a positive COVID-19 test, in addition to a higher risk of hospitalization and ICU admission.

Study 2: People with autoimmune rheumatic diseases were more likely to be hospitalized, need ICU care, or require invasive ventilation compared to others without these conditions. Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases, conditions like vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis showed particularly high risks of severe outcomes. Organ transplant recipients faced the highest risks, with over 10 times the likelihood of hospitalization and significantly higher risks of ICU admission and death compared to the general population.

What Does This Mean?

Both studies highlight the increased risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes for certain groups:

• People taking specific immune-modulating medications (like mycophenolate mofetil and glucocorticoids).
• Patients with autoimmune diseases or those who have had organ transplants.

These findings suggest that healthcare providers should prioritize these groups for strategies to reduce risks, including booster vaccinations, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment for COVID-19.

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