Experience with COVID-19 infection and immunization in a group of adult patients with cystic fibrosis

Introduction: While many non -transplanted individuals with cystic fibrosis experience a mild course of COVID-19 infection, a minority of patients may develop a severe illness. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify potential risk factors that increase the need for hospitalization of patients with cystic fibrosis who are infected with coronavirus and to analyse the course and the treatments of infections. Method: 145 patients treated at the Cystic Fibrosis Division of the National Koranyi Institute for Pulmonology were analysed retrospectively between the onset of the pandemic and 31 December 2022. Results: During the study period, 85.5% of patients received basic SARS-CoV-2 immunization, and 70.9% of vaccines administered were mRNA-based. Of these patients, 13.9% required hospitalization. Notably, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <= 35% was identified as the most significant predictor for a severe COVID-19 course (OR: 6.25, p = 0.01). Discussion: Our findings demonstrate a higher incidence of severe COVID-19 infection in patients with cystic fibrosis who have a lower FEV1. Additionally, our study reveals that adult patients with cystic fibrosis show a greater adherence to vaccination, with the majority having received booster vaccinations. Conclusion: Knowledge of the predictors may help to identify the group of patients with cystic fibrosis that requires increased attention and rapid therapeutic decision -making in the case of acquisition of COVID-19 infection.