Thiago Fukuda
Universidade Federal da Bahia

Author Of 1 Presentation

COVID-19 Late Breaking Abstracts

LB1247 - Clinical features of COVID-19 in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders  (ID 2133)

Abstract

Background

Brazil is currently considered one of the main epicenters of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There are many concerns related to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients. In addition to the older age of onset, higher disability and the higher rate of hospitalization compared to MS, many of the commonly used preventive therapies for NMOSD are cell depleting immunosuppressants with increased risk of viral and bacterial infections.

Objectives

To describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients in Brazil.

Methods

The Brazilian Study Group NMOSD of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology has set up the registration of COVID-19 cases in NMOSD patients, using a designed web-based case report form, encompassing neuroimmunology centers and individual neurologists across the country. Data collected between March 19thand July 31th 2020 were uploaded at the REDONE.br platform. Inclusion criteria were: (i) NMOSD diagnosis according to 2015 International Panel; (ii) confirmed SARS-Cov-2 infection (RT-PCR or serology) or clinical suspicion of COVID-19 diagnosed according to CDC/CSTE case definition. Demographic data, NMOSD clinical characteristics pre and post infection, comorbidities, immunosuppressive treatment, COVID-19 clinical features and severity were described.

Results

Among the 2,061 NMOSD patients inscribed at the REDONE.br platform, 34 patients (29 women) aged 37.1 years (range 8-77), with disease onset at 31.2 years (range 4-69) and disease duration of 5.9 years (range 0.2-20.5), developed COVID-19 (18 confirmed and 16 probable cases). Most patients exhibiting mild disease was treated at home (76.5%) and 4 patients needed treatment at intensive care units (severe cases); one patient died. Four patients had NMOSD relapse during the infection; one with partial recovery.

Conclusions

The clinical features of COVID-19 in NMOSD patients were described, stressing the combination of comorbidities and immunosuppression. Mild COVID-19 was the main presentation. Collaborative studies using shared NMOSD data are needed to suitably define factors related to COVID-19 outcome.

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