A study published in JAMA Network Open found that maintenance immunosuppressive drugs are linked to an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization in solid organ transplant recipients. The study, which included over 60,000 participants, revealed that the use of certain drugs such as steroids, mycophenolic acid, and sirolimus was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization in kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients. On the other hand, tacrolimus and cyclosporine were associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization in liver and heart transplant recipients.
The findings suggest that health care professionals should take into account the increased risk of hospitalization when treating solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19, and consider reducing medication doses or modifying medications in certain cases. This study sheds light on the importance of understanding the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on COVID-19 outcomes in transplant recipients, and the potential need for adjustments in their treatment to improve outcomes.
