Approved Research

Genome-wide association and human leukocyte antigen susceptibility studies on psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis with COVID-19: shared immune mechanisms and genetic pleiotropy

Lay summary

Aim: Our goal is to investigate if certain common autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more at risk of being infected with COVID19 due to their underlying genetics.

Scientific Rationale: A recent study has identified certain genetic makers on the short arm of chromosome 6, may make some patients more susceptible to being infected with COVID19. We want to investigate whether these genetic makers are more common among patients with selected common rheumatic diseases such as spondylitis, arthritis with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Project Duration: We hope to complete this study in two years, but hope to produce initial results over the next two to three months.

Potential Public Health Impact: Identification and validation of genetic markers at risk for developing COVID19 will help stratify patients with common immune based rheumatic disease at risk for developing COVID19. This information may aid in prioritizing those individuals that need a different therapy or patients that should get a potential vaccine before others.