Abstract
The rapid global spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has strained healthcare systems, making the identification of individuals most at-risk a critical challenge. Recent studies identified associations between ABO blood groups and COVID-19. Using observational data on 7,770 SARS-CoV-2-tested individuals at New York Presbyterian (NYP) hospital, we find evidence of overall association with ABO blood groups and a beneficial association between Rh-negative blood groups and both infection status and death. We estimate pooled effect sizes using our data with previously-reported data from China and the UK, finding enrichment of B and depletion of O blood groups among infected individuals. Finally, we show that blood type’s effects are not explained by other risk factors (age, sex, race, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an independent Rh(D) association with COVID-19.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Funding Statement
MZ is funded by T15 LM007079. NPT is funded by R35GM131905
Author Declarations
All relevant ethical guidelines have been followed; any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained and details of the IRB/oversight body are included in the manuscript.
Yes
All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.
Yes
I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).
Yes
I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.
Yes
Data Availability
NYP/CUIMC Patient data is protected by HIPAA and cannot be released. However, we are releasing summary information and data from analyses.