TY - JOUR T1 - Differential risk for COVID-19 in the first wave of the disease among Spaniards and migrants from different areas of the world living in Spain JO - Revista Clínica Española (English Edition) T2 - AU - Guijarro,C. AU - Pérez-Fernández,E. AU - González-Piñeiro,B. AU - Meléndez,V. AU - Goyanes,M.J. AU - Renilla,M.E. AU - Casas,M.L. AU - Sastre,I. AU - Velasco,M. SN - 22548874 M3 - 10.1016/j.rceng.2020.10.005 DO - 10.1016/j.rceng.2020.10.005 UR - https://www.revclinesp.es/en-differential-risk-for-covid-19-in-articulo-S2254887421000333 AB - Introduction and objectivesLittle is known regarding the relevance of racial/ethnic background to the risk for COVID-19 infection, particularly in Europe. We evaluated the risk of COVID-19 among migrants from different areas of the world within the context of universal free access to medical care. Materials and methodsWe conducted a population-based cohort analysis of the cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 among adult residents of Alcorcon (Spain) in the first wave of the disease up to April 25, 2020. ResultsThe crude cumulative incidence among migrants (n = 20419) was higher than among Spaniards (n = 131599): 8.81 and 6.51 and per 1000 inhabitants, respectively (p <  .001), but differed by region of origin. As per a negative binomial regression adjusted for age and sex, relative risk (RR) for COVID-19 for individuals from Europe, Asia, or North Africa was not significantly different from Spaniards. In contrast, a markedly increased risk was found in people from Sub-Saharan Africa (RR 3.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42−9.41, p =  .007), the Caribbean (RR 6.35, 95% CI 3.83−10.55, p <  .001), and Latin America (RR 6.92, 95% CI 4.49−10.67, p <  .001). ConclusionsMigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America exhibited increased risk for COVID-19 as compared to Spaniards or migrants from Europe, North Africa, or Asia. Our data suggest ethnic background may play a role in risk for COVID-19. Migrants from some areas of the world may merit closer attention for both clinical and epidemiological reasons. ER -