Project #131:
SLE and COVID-19

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a condition where the body attacks itself, so it can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, and the nervous system. It is expected that people with SLE will be at higher risk of severe COVID-19 because the medication used for the condition will reduce a person’s immunity and ability to fight infections. This study aims to investigate if SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and/or the treatments of SLE increase a person’s chance of getting COVID-19,if they get it more severely and if they are more likely to develop long COVID-19. We will also examine if having COVID increases a person’s chance of developing SLE. We will look back in individuals records to examine how many people with SLE developed COVID-19 and if they had more severe disease compared to people without SLE. We will use the records of people in the OpenSAFELY and the SAIL database in Wales between 1st March 2020 to 31st December 2021. OpenSafely covers 96% of the GP population in England and SAIL covers 98% of the GP population in Wales.