Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 testing, diagnosis and COVID-19 disease among individuals prescribed opioid-agonist treatment: a nationwide retrospective cohort study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.06.019
• Publication Date: 2024-06-25T18:19:15Z
• Authors: Megan Glancy; Alan Yeung; Andrew McAuley; Norah Palmateer; Jen Bishop; Bob Taylor; Jaroslaw Lang; Lee Barnsdale; Saket Priyadarshi; Sharon Hutchinson
• Keywords: Odds

ObjectivesAmong people receiving opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), the risk of COVID-19 infection and disease may be higher owing to underlying health problems vulnerable social circumstances. We aimed determine whether recent OAT, when compared with past exposure, affected (i) testing for SARS-CoV-2, (ii) positive (iii) being hospitalized or dying disease.MethodsWe included individuals prescribed OAT in Scotland from 2015 2020. performed record linkage SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, vaccination, hospitalization, mortality data, followed up March 2020 December 2021. used proportional hazards analysis multivariate logistic regression estimate associations between prescription (in previous 2 months), exposure (off over a year), outcomes. Models were adjusted confounders.ResultsAmong 36 093 19 071 (52.9%) tested SARS-CoV-2; 2896 (8.3%) positive; 552 (1.5%) died COVID-19. Recent was associated lower odds among those (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.57–0.69). However, positive, two-fold hospitalization death 2.04; 1.60–2.59).DiscussionWe found that infection, but once diagnosed. Clinical studies are needed unravel role these associations. An enhanced effort is warranted increase vaccine coverage patients mitigate severe consequences