The DESTINIES Study: an online Delphi study to build international consensus on the medical conditions and procedures that confer immunosuppression and their respective COVID-19 risk profiles.
expert_opinion · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40453534.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103239 and PMC identifier 12124667.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The lack of international consensus on defining and categorising immunosuppression has undermined disease surveillance and patient care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, a global expert panel was recruited to join the eDElphi STudy to fully defiINe and COVID-risk stratify ImmunosupprESsion (DESTINIES) and develop a COVID risk-stratified digital phenotype for 'adult immunosuppression' (the DESTINIES phenotype). Panellists were presented with all medical diagnoses and procedures cited in prevailing immunosuppressed definitions; they evaluated their appropriateness for the DESTINIES phenotype and their risks for severe COVID-19 outcomes through anonymous online questionnaires and discussion. Panel agreement with a series of clinical statements were also assessed; statements incorporated longstanding disputes, including variables that could reverse immunosuppression. Each round of data collection informed and refined a draft phenotype until final ratification. This study was active between May and September 2024. Sixty-four experts from four continents and 12 international agencies completed two rounds of consensus questionnaire, a discussion group and ratifying vote. Panellists identified candidates posing higher (e.g. Transplantation, Primary Immunodeficiency) and lower COVID-19 risk (e.g. Anorexia nervosa, Cerebral spinal fluid leak) but disagreed on the categorisation of others (e.g. Asplenia, Immune-mediated Inflammatory Disease). Consensus was reached on ten clinical statements, notably removing Drug-managed HIV and Cancer remission from consideration as immunosuppressed. The DESTINIES phenotype was ratified with near unanimous support (94%) for implementation in surveillance. Pending validation, the DESTINIES phenotype provides a clinically meaningful, internationally ratified and digitally practical method for identifying and COVID-19 risk-stratifying adult immunosuppressed patients in healthcare data. This work was funded by the UK Medical Research Council and EMIS Health.