The Relationship between ABO Blood Group Type and the COVID-19 Susceptibility in Qatif Central Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: It has been found that the viral infection is linked to the ABO blood group. Limited studies investigated the relationship of the ABO blood group and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Objective: To investigate the association between the ABO blood group and the COVID-19 susceptibility. Material & Methods: The study is a retrospective cohort study. It included all hospitalized confirmed COVID-19 patients in Qatif central hospital, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. We included both genders and people who are older than 14 years of age. The study was conducted in the period between 15th March, and 15^th April, 2020. Results: Our sample consists of 72 patients; we found a percentage distribution of 23.62%, 33.33%, 9.72%, and 33.33% for blood groups A, B, AB and O, respectively. Our results showed significantly increased risk for AB blood groups (P < 0.05) and significantly lower risk for the O blood group (P < 0.05). Although there was a higher percentage distribution of the B blood group among COVID-19 patients as compared to the blood donors’ groups, this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the risk of COVID-19 in blood group A with a distribution of 23.60% in blood donors’ group, and 23.62% in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that among confirmed COVID-19 patients, patients with AB blood group have higher susceptibility while patients with O blood group have lower susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Our study has limitations and further studies are needed.