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Outcome of COVID19 in Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Saudi Arabia
Abeer N Alshukairi1,2, Hazem Doar3, Afaf Al-Sagheir4
1Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) who contracted COVID-19 experienced mild illness and recovered fully. This study highlights favorable outcomes in OI patients, contrasting with other genetic conditions, suggesting young age and mild disease contribute to recovery.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic collagen disorder causing fractures and skeletal deformities.
- Comorbidities like kyphoscoliosis and pneumonia can worsen OI prognosis.
- The impact of COVID-19 on OI patients remained undocumented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pediatric and adult patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
- To identify factors influencing COVID-19 severity in OI patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, multi-center study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from March 2020 to August 2021.
- Data collected included demographics, vaccination status, OI-related comorbidities, functional status, bisphosphonate use, bone mineral density (BMD), and COVID-19 course.
- Twelve COVID-19 cases among 146 OI patients were analyzed.
Main Results:
- All 12 OI patients with COVID-19 experienced mild disease and did not require hospitalization.
- The majority of patients were under 18 (75%) and had no or mild OI-related complications.
- Half of the patients received bisphosphonate therapy, and most had normal bone mineral density (BMD).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 in patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta resulted in favorable outcomes without complications in this cohort.
- Younger age and mild disease presentation appear to be significant factors in the positive recovery observed.
- Bisphosphonate use and normal BMD may also play a role in mitigating disease severity.
Background:
Although genetic diseases are rare, children with such conditions who get infected with COVID-19 tend to have a severe illness requiring hospitalization. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder of collagen resulting in fractures and skeletal deformities. Kyphoscoliosis, restrictive lung disease, and pneumonia worsen the prognosis of patients with OI. The use of bisphosphonate improves bone mineral density (BMD) and reduces fractures in OI. There is no literature describing the impact of COVID-19 in patients with OI.
Methodology:
A retrospective multi-center study was performed in three hospitals in Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 1st, 2020, until August 31st, 2021, aiming to evaluate the outcome of COVID-19 in patients with OI. Demographics, vaccination status, underlying kyphoscoliosis, functional status, use of bisphosphonate, BMD, and COVID-19 severity, and course were recorded for all patients.
Results:
Twelve cases of confirmed COVID-19 were identified among 146 patients with OI. 9 (75%) of patients were less than 18 years, 6 (50%) were male, 5 (41%) had kyphoscoliosis, and 5 (41%) were wheelchair-bound. 6 (50%) received bisphosphonate, and 7(58%) had normal BMD. All patients had mild disease and did not require hospitalization. None of OI the patients with COVID-19 were fully vaccinated before the infection, and some were ineligible for vaccination.
Conclusion:
Patients with OI and COVID-19 in our study recovered without complications, unlike patients with other genetic diseases. Young age and mild illness contributed to the favorable outcome. Half of the patients received bisphosphonate and had normal BMD.
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