Designing and analyzing studies of coronavirus disease 2019 and post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among immunocompromised individuals

Transpl Infect Dis. 2024 Apr;26(2):e14231. doi: 10.1111/tid.14231. Epub 2024 Feb 20.

Abstract

Observational studies of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among transplant candidates and recipients remain important as immunocompromised patients formed a very small proportion of patients included in COVID-19 trials and large database analyses. We discuss methods that have been used in such analyses to evaluate the impact of vaccination on the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 in such patients and on the probability of developing post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 after the onset of infection. We also propose future directions for research and discuss the methods that will be useful to conduct such investigations. The study design and analytical issues that we consider have the potential to be helpful not only for COVID-19 research but also for other infections as well.

Keywords: COVID‐19; PASC; observational studies; statistical methods.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Databases, Factual
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • SARS-CoV-2*