Association of ABO blood group with in-hospital adverse outcome and long term persistent symptoms of COVID-19 infection: A single-center longitudinal observational study

Background and Aims There are gaps in knowledge regarding the association between the ABO blood group and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) immediate and long-term outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association of ABO blood group with COVID-19 in-hospital adverse outcomes and to determine whether ABO blood group is associated with post-COVID-19 persistent symptoms. Methods This was a single-center longitudinal observational study that included patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection and a positive test for COVID-19 and were able to attend the out-patient clinic after 6 months following acute COVID-19. The main outcomes were intensive care unit admission, the requirement for respiratory support, in-hospital death, and persistent symptoms. chi(2) test and regression analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Results A total of 169 patients were enrolled for the assessment of in-hospital adverse outcomes of whom 86 patients were included for the assessment of persistent symptoms after the exclusion of deceased patients or patients not attended the out-patient clinic. Patients with blood group B had higher prevalence of in-hospital death compared to blood group O (39% vs. 13%, p = 0.01) and this persisted after adjusting for sex (odds ratio, OR [confidence interval, CI] = 1.4 [1.1-2.1], p = 0.04), while patients with blood group AB had higher prevalence of requiring respiratory support than blood group O (54% vs. 10%, p = 0.02) and this persisted after adjusting for age (OR [CI] = 1.5 [1.1-2.3], p = 0.02). Concerning the association of ABO blood group and long-term symptoms, blood group AB showed a higher prevalence of palpitation (p < 0.001) and dizziness (p = 0.02) than other blood groups. Conclusions Blood groups AB and B are significantly associated with respiratory support use and in-hospital death, respectively, compared to blood group O. Blood group AB is significantly associated with persistent palpitation and dizziness compared to other blood groups.

Automated summary

This study found a significant association between blood groups AB and B and adverse in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19. Blood group AB was also significantly associated with persistent palpitation and dizziness.