Medical vulnerability of individuals with Down syndrome to severe COVID-19-data from the Trisomy 21 Research Society and the UK ISARIC4C survey

Authors

Anke Hüls
Alberto C S CostaFollow
Mara Dierssen
R Asaad Baksh
Stefania BargagnaFollow
Nicole T BaumerFollow
Ana Claudia BrandãoFollow
Angelo CarfiFollow
Maria Carmona-Iragui
Brian Chicoine, Advocate Aurora HealthFollow
Sujay Ghosh
Monica Lakhanpaul
Coral Manso
Miguel-Angel Mayer
Maria Del Carmen Ortega
Diego Real de Asua
Anne-Sophie Rebillat
Lauren Ashley Russell
Giuseppina Sgandurra
Diletta Valentini
Stephanie L Sherman
Andre Strydom

Recommended Citation

Hüls A, Costa ACS, Dierssen M, et al. Medical vulnerability of individuals with Down syndrome to severe COVID-19-data from the Trisomy 21 Research Society and the UK ISARIC4C survey. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;33:100769. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100769

Affiliations

Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center

Abstract

Background: Health conditions, immune dysfunction, and premature aging associated with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome, DS) may impact the clinical course of COVID-19.

Methods: The T21RS COVID-19 Initiative launched an international survey for clinicians or caregivers on patients with COVID-19 and DS. Data collected between April and October 2020 (N=1046) were analysed and compared with the UK ISARIC4C survey of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without DS.

Findings: The mean age of COVID-19 patients with DS in the T21RS survey was 29 years (SD = 18). Similar to the general population, the most frequent signs and symptoms of COVID-19 were fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Joint/muscle pain and vomiting or nausea were less frequent (p < 0.01), whereas altered consciousness/confusion were more frequent (p < 0.01). Risk factors for hospitalization and mortality were similar to the general population with the addition of congenital heart defects as a risk factor for hospitalization. Mortality rates showed a rapid increase from age 40 and were higher in patients with DS (T21RS DS versus non-DS patients: risk ratio (RR) = 3.5 (95%-CI=2.6;4.4), ISARIC4C DS versus non-DS patients: RR = 2.9 (95%-CI=2.1;3.8)) even after adjusting for known risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.

Interpretation: Leading signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and risk factors for severe disease course are similar to the general population. However, individuals with DS present significantly higher rates of medical complications and mortality, especially from age 40.

Funding: Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, DSMIG-USA, GiGi's Playhouse, Jerome Lejeune Foundation, LuMind IDSC Foundation, The Matthew Foundation, NDSS, National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

33644721