Patients With Prader-Willi Syndrome Face Increased Risk For Severe COVID-19 Hospital Outcomes, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (3/31, McSwiggin) reports a study suggests that “patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) may be at increased risk for severe outcomes when infected with COVID-19, highlighting the need to prioritize infection prevention and vaccination efforts in this population.” Researchers found that “patients in the PWS group were hospitalized longer than those in the non-PWS group (median, 6 vs 5 days) and exhibited higher rates of ventilator use (18.6% vs 11.8%) and obesity (47.5% vs 28.4%).” Additionally, they noted “in-hospital mortality was less common among patients with vs without PWS (8.5% vs 12.8%), but the median age at death was lower for those with PWS (30 vs 72 years). Patients in the PWS group also had higher total hospital charges (median, $64,804 vs $47,846).” Results from the study were published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A.