Background: Venous thromboembolism has been reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It remains unclear if premorbid use of prophylactic oral anticoagulation, for reasons other than COVID-19, protects against death in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to estimate if the risk of all-cause mortality, hospital admission or intensive care unit (ICU) admission for individuals with verified SARS-CoV-2 was lower if patients used oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy prior to a positive COVID-19 status. Methods: Data were obtained using national health registries. Cohort entry was the day of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and individuals were followed for 14 days or until death or hospital admission. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard regressions and competing risk analyses were used to estimate the risk of all-cause mortality, hospital admission and ICU admission in OAC users compared with patients with no use of OAC. Results: In this nationwide cohort study a total of 244 522 individuals were included (median age 35 years (interquartile range 21–52); 124 095 (51%) female), among whom 3710 (1.5%) were OAC users. In the adjusted Cox regression cohort, there was no difference in risk of all-cause mortality in OAC versus non-OAC users. (hazard ratio (HR) 1.13, 95% CI 0.99–1.30). Hospital admission risk (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.20) was slightly increased in OAC users, and there was no difference between the groups regarding the risk of ICU admission (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.74–1.24). Conclusions: In individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2, pre-existing treatment with OAC was not associated with prophylactic benefits in the prevention of hospital admission, ICU admissions or death. Prescription patterns should remain unchanged.

Background: Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by dysfunction of motile cilia. Common symptoms include recurrent and chronic airway infection which can result in deteriorating obstructive lung function, destroyed and chronically collapsed lobar segments, and bronchiectasis. Routine blood testing may be used as a tool for disease monitoring and management, however currently there are no guidelines or consensus within the field of PCD. We aimed to develop an international expert consensus statement on which routine blood tests should be conducted in patients with PCD. Methods: An international panel of 33 PCD experts from 17 countries was established to generate consensus on routine blood testing in PCD. A modified Delphi technique with three e-survey rounds was used to reach consensus. Consensus was reached on statements if there was at least 80% agreement. Patient representatives were included in the Delphi process. Results: The expert panel reached consensus on 50 statements on routine blood testing in adults and children with PCD at diagnosis, annually and at exacerbation. Agreement on statements ranged from 80% to 100%. The statements include biomarkers for inflammation, haemoglobin, iron status, vitamin D, immune function, inhalant allergies, liver and kidney function, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Conclusion: This is the first international consensus on routine blood testing in PCD. It highlights which blood tests may be relevant to conduct at diagnosis, annually and at exacerbation in PCD patients. Further research on the clinical usefulness of routine blood testing in PCD is needed.