Differences in characteristics among patients with AIH with and without symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness (n=420)
| Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 illness | P value | ||
| Yes (n=48) | No (n=372) | ||
| Age at survey completion (years) (mean, SD) | 50±12 | 52±13 | 0.57 |
| Age at AIH diagnosis (years) (mean, SD) | 42±15 | 45±15 | 0.89 |
| Female | 95.8% | 91% | 0.27 |
| Cirrhosis | 33% | 21% | 0.12 |
| Liver transplantation for AIH | 0% | 3% | 0.23 |
| Tested for SARS-CoV-2 | 29% | 0% | 0.0001 |
| Rate of positivity (among those who underwent testing) | 43% | Not applicable | |
| Current immunosuppression (%) | |||
| Any steroids | 44 | 40 | 0.60 |
| Other immunosuppression beyond steroids* | 87 | 83 | 0.44 |
| No medications | 6 | 6 | 0.87 |
| Risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness (%) | |||
| Over the age of 65 | 8 | 17 | 0.11 |
| Asthma that requires the use of an inhaler | 17 | 12 | 0.34 |
| Chronic lung condition | 8 | 5 | 0.31 |
| Serious heart condition | 0 | 1 | 0.42 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 4 | 2 | 0.39 |
| Hypertension | 25 | 27 | 0.75 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 12 | 7 | 0.20 |
| Severely overweight (BMI >40 kg/m2) | 23 | 10 | 0.01 |
| African descent | 4 | 2 | 0.22 |
| Prior cancer diagnosis | 8 | 9 | 0.90 |
| Doctor adjusted immunosuppressive medication in anticipation of pandemic | 2% | 2% | 0.92 |
| House contacts with COVID-19 symptoms | 33% | 3% | 0.0001 |
| Occupational factors among those with jobs during stay at home orders (n=192) | |||
| n=21 | n=171 | P value | |
| Close, frequent contact with coworkers or customers | 48% | 29% | 0.09 |
| Interaction with more than 5 customers per day | 48% | 50% | 0.41 |
| Interaction with more than 5 coworkers per day | 71% | 76% | 0.16 |
| Work contacts with COVID-19 symptoms | 38% | 17% | 0.02 |
| Worked in healthcare setting | 29% | 16% | 0.17 |
Bold values are considered signficant (p<0.05).
*No significant differences according to individual immunosuppressant agents.
AIH, autoimmune hepatitis; BMI, body mass index.