Risk of COVID-19 reinfection and its severe complications in adults treated with long-term opioids for chronic non-cancer pain

Main Article Content

Wen-Jan Tuan, DHA, MS, MPH http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3939-8979 Michael Partin, MD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7496-6604 Grace Hwang http://orcid.org/0009-0008-3610-5214 Christopher Heron, MD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8245-2953 Kyle Burke, MD http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6322-8995 Adriana Von Rago http://orcid.org/0009-0002-8027-0838 Aleksandra E. Zgierska, MD, PhD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7773-6003

Abstract

Introduction: With the sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic, many concerns remain about reinfection and waning immunity against the virus and its variants.


Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk of COVID-19 reinfection and its severe complications in adults treated with long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic non-cancer pain.


Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database of over 2,120,701 adults infected by COVID-19 between January 2020 and June 2022. The reinfection was defined as a new COVID-19 infection recorded after at least 30 days after the initial one. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the probability of reinfection and severe COVID-19 illness (measured by emergence department (ED) visits, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) care, or death) within 30 days of the reinfection, controlled for baseline demographic and comorbid conditions.


Results: The study included 36,265 adults treated with LTOT. Adults on LTOT, compared to those without LTOT, were 2.8 times more likely to have a COVID-19 reinfection, and, after re-infected, were 1.4-1.6 times more likely to be admitted to ED, hospital, and ICU, though no impact was found on a 30-day mortality.


Conclusion: the study findings can help guide clinical decisions about the level of monitoring and care for adults treated with LTOT for chronic non-cancer pain who experience a COVID-19 reinfection. Future prospective research is needed to fully understand the components of risk and optimal risk mitigation strategies of COVID-19 reinfection in adults on LTOT.

Keywords: Opioid, COVID-19 reinfection, COVID-19 outcomes, chronic pain

Article Details

How to Cite
TUAN, Wen-Jan et al. Risk of COVID-19 reinfection and its severe complications in adults treated with long-term opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 12, n. 10, oct. 2024. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5931>. Date accessed: 03 dec. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i10.5931.
Section
Research Articles

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