Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca
Centre d’Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya

Author Of 3 Presentations

Prognostic Factors Poster Presentation

LB1168 - COVID-19 in MS patients: susceptibility and severity risk factors (ID 1524)

Abstract

Background

In the present pandemic, gathering information regarding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with COVID-19 is needed.

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in a Barcelona cohort of MS patients, to describe the characteristics of MS patients with COVID-19, and to identify risk factors for susceptibility and severity.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of adult MS patients included from February to May 2020. COVID-19 and non-affected cases were identified through a COVID-19 mail survey and clinical visits. Demographic, clinical, MS characteristics, and laboratory data (lymphocyte and CD19+ count, immunoglobulins, and vitamin D) were obtained. Serological SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed in all suspected cases. We examined the relationship between the previously mentioned variables with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.

Results

Out of the 2903 surveys sent, a total of 875 were answered. 117 (13.37%) patients were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria. 48 out of 758 were suspected COVID-19 and the remaining were classified as non-COVID-19. The estimated incidence was 6.3%. 45 additional suspected COVID-19 cases were detected in clinical visits. In the multivariate analysis, COVID-19 susceptibility was associated with being younger (OR 0.54, IC95% 0.34-0.87,p<0.01), having had contact with a confirmed case (OR 193.20, IC95% 55.34-674.43,p<0.01), living in Barcelona (OR 2.35, IC95% 1.08-5.09, p=0.03) and a longer MS disease duration (OR 1.43, IC95% 1.10-1.85,p<0.01). In patients treated with an anti-CD20 therapy, COVID-19 susceptibility increased with treatment duration (OR 3.36, IC95% 1.42-7.96, p<0.01). 19 (20.43%) of the 93 COVID-19 cases were hospitalized, 9(9.68%) presented a severe course and 2(2.15%) of them died. In the univariate analysis, older patients with comorbidities, a progressive and longer MS duration, and without disease-modifying therapies, presented a more severe disease although these results were not observed in the multivariate analysis. Out of the 79 (84.9%) with serological test, 45.6% had generated antibodies and 17.6% in patients receiving anti-CD20. No relation of lymphopenia, vitamin D, or immunoglobulins levels with COVID-19 susceptibility or severity was found.

Conclusions

MS patients present similar incidence, risk factors, and outcomes for COVID-19 than the general population. Patients treated with an anti-CD20 therapy for a longer period of time might be in a higher risk of COVID-19 and of generating lower antibody response.

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Diagnostic Criteria and Differential Diagnosis Late Breaking Abstracts

LB1240 - A kappa free light chain index of 6.6 represents an alternative to positive oligoclonal bands in the 2017 McDonald criteria (ID 2125)

Abstract

Background

Oligoclonal bands (OB) are part of the 2017 McDonald criteria but their determination is rater-dependent. Kappa free light chains (KFLC) are determined quantitatively and could be an alternative to OB, but a vendor-specific index cut-off is needed.

Objectives

To compare the proportion of patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) and positive OB and a KFLC index equal or greater than 6.6 (KFLC-6.6, Leurs CE Mult Scler 2020) or 10.61 (KFLC-10.61, Gaetani L J Neuroimmunol 2020). To compare the diagnostic properties of OB, KFLC-6.6 and KFLC-10.61 for 2nd attack and 2017 MRI dissemination in space (DIS) and time (DIT).

Methods

MRIs were obtained 3-5 months after the CIS, at 1 year and every 5 years. OB were determined by isoelectric focusing combined with immunoblotting. We selected 228 patients with sufficient data to assess DIS and DIT, OB determination and enough remnant frozen samples to measure KFLC by turbidimetry (Optilite, The Binding Site). We compared the proportion of patients with positive OB, KFLC-6.6 and KFLC-10.61 and the 3-year diagnostic properties for the following outcomes: 2nd attack (n=179) and MRI DIS and DIT (n=192).

Results

Of all patients, 146 (64.0%) had OB, 147 (65.5%) KFLC-6.6 and 137 (60.1%) KFLC-10.61. In total, 130 (57.0%) had OB and KFLC-6.6, 16 (7.0%) only OB, 17 (7.5%) only KFLC-6.6 and 65 (28.5%) had neither. As for OB and KFLC-10.61, 122 (53.5%) had both, 24 (10.5%) only OB, 15 (6.6%) only KFLC-10.61 and 67 (29.4%) had neither. At baseline, the criteria were fulfilled by patients with OB, KFLC-6.6 and KFLC-10.61 as follows: DIS 109/135 (80.7%), 114 (84.4%) and 106 (78.5%); DIT 70/87 (80.5%), 78 (89.7%) and 74 (85.1%); DIS plus DIT 64/78 (81.2), 71 (91.0%) and 67 (85.9); DIS plus OB 109 (100.0%), 101 (92.7%) and 94 (86.2); and McDonald 111/130 (85.4%), 113 (86.9%) and 106 (81.5%). The diagnostic properties of OB, KFLC-6.6 and KFLC-10.61 for 2nd attack were sensitivity 77.8, 85.6 and 78.0; specificity 44.9, 48.3 and 51.7; and accuracy 61.5, 67.0 and 65.4. Results for MRI DIS plus DIT were sensitivity 81.8, 87.9 and 82.6; specificity 66.7, 70.0 and 73.3; and accuracy 77.1, 82.3 and 79.7.

Conclusions

KFLC-10.61 had the greatest specificity and KFLC-6.6 the best overall diagnostic properties. The results were probably due to the higher proportion of positive KFLC patients with DIT compared to those with positive OB, suggesting KFLC-6.6 could be used as an alternative to OB in the McDonald criteria.

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Reproductive Aspects and Pregnancy Poster Presentation

P1119 - Disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with alemtuzumab due to a pregnancy desire (ID 1511)

Abstract

Background

Counselling and managing women with active Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy and the postpartum period is a challenge. Alemtuzumab (ALZ) might be an option for patients with severe MS who desire pregnancy. However, data on relapse activity during and after pregnancy is scarce.

Objectives

Our objective was to describe our experience with ALZ treatment prescribed in highly active MS women with a pregnancy desire.

Methods

From all ALZ treated women (n=62), patients starting treatment because of a pregnancy desire were selected. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data before and during ALZ treatment as well as during and after pregnancy were collected.

Results

From 1st September 2019, thirteen patients were identified with a mean age at ALZ onset of 33.9 years (SD 5.5), median disease duration of 12.0 years (IQR 12.5). The median number of relapses 1 year prior to ALZ onset was 2.0 (IQR 2.0) and 6 out of 10 patients (60%) had Gd-enhancing lesions at baseline MRI (median of 4.5 lesions; IQR 8.3). Only one patient was treatment naïve prior to ALZ onset, 5 patients (38%) were receiving fingolimod, 3 patients (23.1%) injectable therapies, and 3 patients (23,1%) other monoclonal antibodies. As of 1st June 2020, 4 patients (30%) were still not pregnant, 8 patients (61.5%) have had a full-term pregnancy, and 1 patient (7.7%) was still pregnant. All 9 pregnant patients have received two cycles of ALZ with a median time from the last ALZ dose to pregnancy of 9 months (IQR 18). After 1-2 years ALZ treatment, and prior to the pregnancy, 4 out of 9 patients (44.4%) had at least one relapse and 3 (33.3%) patients had an active brain MRI either at 12 or 24 months after ALZ onset. During pregnancy, only 1 patient had a relapse during the first trimester. During the postpartum period, 2 out of 8 (25%) patients experienced a disease reactivation with a relapse occurring with a mean time of 42 days (SD 41) after delivery and a brain MRI showing a high number of Gd-enhancing lesions.

Conclusions

Alemtuzumab treatment in women with high disease activity and a pregnancy desire might be an option. However, it is warned that some patients could present a disease reactivation short after delivery. Thus, close monitoring is needed, especially in patients with a high disease activity during the preconception period.

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Presenter Of 1 Presentation

Reproductive Aspects and Pregnancy Poster Presentation

P1119 - Disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with alemtuzumab due to a pregnancy desire (ID 1511)

Abstract

Background

Counselling and managing women with active Multiple Sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy and the postpartum period is a challenge. Alemtuzumab (ALZ) might be an option for patients with severe MS who desire pregnancy. However, data on relapse activity during and after pregnancy is scarce.

Objectives

Our objective was to describe our experience with ALZ treatment prescribed in highly active MS women with a pregnancy desire.

Methods

From all ALZ treated women (n=62), patients starting treatment because of a pregnancy desire were selected. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data before and during ALZ treatment as well as during and after pregnancy were collected.

Results

From 1st September 2019, thirteen patients were identified with a mean age at ALZ onset of 33.9 years (SD 5.5), median disease duration of 12.0 years (IQR 12.5). The median number of relapses 1 year prior to ALZ onset was 2.0 (IQR 2.0) and 6 out of 10 patients (60%) had Gd-enhancing lesions at baseline MRI (median of 4.5 lesions; IQR 8.3). Only one patient was treatment naïve prior to ALZ onset, 5 patients (38%) were receiving fingolimod, 3 patients (23.1%) injectable therapies, and 3 patients (23,1%) other monoclonal antibodies. As of 1st June 2020, 4 patients (30%) were still not pregnant, 8 patients (61.5%) have had a full-term pregnancy, and 1 patient (7.7%) was still pregnant. All 9 pregnant patients have received two cycles of ALZ with a median time from the last ALZ dose to pregnancy of 9 months (IQR 18). After 1-2 years ALZ treatment, and prior to the pregnancy, 4 out of 9 patients (44.4%) had at least one relapse and 3 (33.3%) patients had an active brain MRI either at 12 or 24 months after ALZ onset. During pregnancy, only 1 patient had a relapse during the first trimester. During the postpartum period, 2 out of 8 (25%) patients experienced a disease reactivation with a relapse occurring with a mean time of 42 days (SD 41) after delivery and a brain MRI showing a high number of Gd-enhancing lesions.

Conclusions

Alemtuzumab treatment in women with high disease activity and a pregnancy desire might be an option. However, it is warned that some patients could present a disease reactivation short after delivery. Thus, close monitoring is needed, especially in patients with a high disease activity during the preconception period.

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