Zero COVID-19 infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Findings from population-based inflammatory bowel disease registries in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Abstract

Background and aim: It is unsure whether inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a risk factor for novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Methods: IBD patients were identified from population-based databases in Hong Kong and Taiwan from January 21, 2020, until April 15, 2020.

Results: Total 2954 and 2554 IBD patients were identified in Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. None had COVID-19. Pooled analysis showed that 65.3%, 39.1%, 4.3%, and 12.8% IBD patients in Hong Kong and 75.8 %, 51.4 %, 26.1%, and 52.3 % in Taiwan were on 5-aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and biologics, respectively.

Conclusion: There were no reported cases of COVID-19 infection amongst IBD patients in Hong Kong and Taiwan. IBD patients should continue their usual medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; epidemiology; inflammatory bowel disease.