Can the Dose of Belimumab be Reduced in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dose reduction in patients with SLE treated with belimumab (BEL) in Spain, analyze treatment modalities, and determine impact on control of disease activity.

METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal and multicentre study of SLE patients treated with BEL. Data on disease activity, treatments and outcomes were recorded before and after reduction (6-12 months), and they were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 324 patients were included. The dose was reduced in 29 patients (8.9%). The dosing interval was increased in 9 patients receiving subcutaneous BEL and in 6 patients receiving intravenous BEL. The dose per administration was reduced in 16 patients.Pre-reduction status was remission (2021 DORIS) in 15/26 patients (57.7%) and LLDAS in 23/26 patients (88.5%). After reduction, 2/24 patients (8.3%) and 3/22 patients (13.6%) lost remission at 6 months and 12 months, respectively (not statistically significant [NS]). As for LLDAS, 2/23 patients (8.7%) and 2/21 patients (9.5%) lost their status at 6 and 12 months, respectively (NS). Significantly fewer patients were taking glucocorticoids (GCs) at their 12-month visit, although the median dose of GCs was higher at the 12-month visit (5 [0.62-8.75] vs 2.5 [0-5] at baseline).

CONCLUSION

Doses of BEL can be reduced with no relevant changes in disease activity-at least in the short term-in a significant percentage of patients, and most maintain the reduced dose. However, increased clinical or serologic activity may be observed in some patients. Consequently, tighter post-reduction follow-up is advisable.

Current use of drains and management of seroma following mastectomy and axillary surgery: results of a United Kingdom national practice survey

PURPOSE

Up to 40% of the 56,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK undergo mastectomy. Seroma formation following surgery is common, may delay wound healing, and be uncomfortable or delay the start of adjuvant treatment. Multiple strategies to reduce seroma formation include surgical drains, flap fixation and external compression exist but evidence to support best practice is lacking. We aimed to survey UK breast surgeons to determine current practice to inform the feasibility of undertaking a future trial.

METHODS

An online survey was developed and circulated to UK breast surgeons via professional and trainee associations and social media to explore current attitudes to drain use and management of post-operative seroma. Simple descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results.

RESULTS

The majority of surgeons (82/97, 85%) reported using drains either routinely (38, 39%) or in certain circumstances (44, 45%). Other methods for reducing seroma such as flap fixation were less commonly used. Wide variation was reported in the assessment and management of post-operative seromas. Over half (47/91, 52%) of respondents felt there was some uncertainty about drain use after mastectomy and axillary surgery and two-thirds (59/91, 65%) felt that a trial evaluating the use of drains vs no drains after simple breast cancer surgery was needed.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for a large-scale UK-based RCT to determine if, when and in whom drains are necessary following mastectomy and axillary surgery. This work will inform the design and conduct of a future trial.

Multiorgan MRI findings after hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK (C-MORE): a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The multiorgan impact of moderate to severe coronavirus infections in the post-acute phase is still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities after hospitalisation with COVID-19, evaluate their determinants, and explore associations with patient-related outcome measures.

METHODS

In a prospective, UK-wide, multicentre MRI follow-up study (C-MORE), adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital following COVID-19 who were included in Tier 2 of the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) and contemporary controls with no evidence of previous COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibody negative) underwent multiorgan MRI (lungs, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys) with quantitative and qualitative assessment of images and clinical adjudication when relevant. Individuals with end-stage renal failure or contraindications to MRI were excluded. Participants also underwent detailed recording of symptoms, and physiological and biochemical tests. The primary outcome was the excess burden of multiorgan abnormalities (two or more organs) relative to controls, with further adjustments for potential confounders. The C-MORE study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04510025.

FINDINGS

Of 2710 participants in Tier 2 of PHOSP-COVID, 531 were recruited across 13 UK-wide C-MORE sites. After exclusions, 259 C-MORE patients (mean age 57 years [SD 12]; 158 [61%] male and 101 [39%] female) who were discharged from hospital with PCR-confirmed or clinically diagnosed COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and Nov 1, 2021, and 52 non-COVID-19 controls from the community (mean age 49 years [SD 14]; 30 [58%] male and 22 [42%] female) were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed at a median of 5·0 months (IQR 4·2-6·3) after hospital discharge. Compared with non-COVID-19 controls, patients were older, living with more obesity, and had more comorbidities. Multiorgan abnormalities on MRI were more frequent in patients than in controls (157 [61%] of 259 vs 14 [27%] of 52; p<0·0001) and independently associated with COVID-19 status (odds ratio [OR] 2·9 [95% CI 1·5-5·8]; padjusted=0·0023) after adjusting for relevant confounders. Compared with controls, patients were more likely to have MRI evidence of lung abnormalities (p=0·0001; parenchymal abnormalities), brain abnormalities (p<0·0001; more white matter hyperintensities and regional brain volume reduction), and kidney abnormalities (p=0·014; lower medullary T1 and loss of corticomedullary differentiation), whereas cardiac and liver MRI abnormalities were similar between patients and controls. Patients with multiorgan abnormalities were older (difference in mean age 7 years [95% CI 4-10]; mean age of 59·8 years [SD 11·7] with multiorgan abnormalities vs mean age of 52·8 years [11·9] without multiorgan abnormalities; p<0·0001), more likely to have three or more comorbidities (OR 2·47 [1·32-4·82]; padjusted=0·0059), and more likely to have a more severe acute infection (acute CRP >5mg/L, OR 3·55 [1·23-11·88]; padjusted=0·025) than those without multiorgan abnormalities. Presence of lung MRI abnormalities was associated with a two-fold higher risk of chest tightness, and multiorgan MRI abnormalities were associated with severe and very severe persistent physical and mental health impairment (PHOSP-COVID symptom clusters) after hospitalisation.

INTERPRETATION

After hospitalisation for COVID-19, people are at risk of multiorgan abnormalities in the medium term. Our findings emphasise the need for proactive multidisciplinary care pathways, with the potential for imaging to guide surveillance frequency and therapeutic stratification.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

Using HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-Compliant Transcription Services for Virtual Psychiatric Interviews: Pilot Comparison Study

BACKGROUND

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology is increasingly being used for transcription in clinical contexts. Although there are numerous transcription services using ASR, few studies have compared the word error rate (WER) between different transcription services among different diagnostic groups in a mental health setting. There has also been little research into the types of words ASR transcriptions mistakenly generate or omit.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the WER of 3 ASR transcription services (Amazon Transcribe [Amazon.com, Inc], Zoom-Otter AI [Zoom Video Communications, Inc], and Whisper [OpenAI Inc]) in interviews across 2 different clinical categories (controls and participants experiencing a variety of mental health conditions). These ASR transcription services were also compared with a commercial human transcription service, Rev (Rev.Com, Inc). Words that were either included or excluded by the error in the transcripts were systematically analyzed by their Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count categories.

METHODS

Participants completed a 1-time research psychiatric interview, which was recorded on a secure server. Transcriptions created by the research team were used as the gold standard from which WER was calculated. The interviewees were categorized into either the control group (n=18) or the mental health condition group (n=47) using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The total sample included 65 participants. Brunner-Munzel tests were used for comparing independent sets, such as the diagnostic groupings, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used for correlated samples when comparing the total sample between different transcription services.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between each ASR transcription service's WER (P<.001). Amazon Transcribe's output exhibited significantly lower WERs compared with the Zoom-Otter AI's and Whisper's ASR. ASR performances did not significantly differ across the 2 different clinical categories within each service (P>.05). A comparison between the human transcription service output from Rev and the best-performing ASR (Amazon Transcribe) demonstrated a significant difference (P<.001), with Rev having a slightly lower median WER (7.6%, IQR 5.4%-11.35 vs 8.9%, IQR 6.9%-11.6%). Heat maps and spider plots were used to visualize the most common errors in Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count categories, which were found to be within 3 overarching categories: Conversation, Cognition, and Function.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, consistent with previous literature, our results suggest that the WER between manual and automated transcription services may be narrowing as ASR services advance. These advances, coupled with decreased cost and time in receiving transcriptions, may make ASR transcriptions a more viable option within health care settings. However, more research is required to determine if errors in specific types of words impact the analysis and usability of these transcriptions, particularly for specific applications and in a variety of populations in terms of clinical diagnosis, literacy level, accent, and cultural origin.

Competitive Neurocognitive Processes Following Bereavement

Bereavement is a common human experience that often involves significant impacts on psychological, emotional and even cognitive functioning. Though various psychological theories have been proposed to conceptualize the grief process, our current understanding of the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms of grief is limited. The present paper proposes a neurocognitive model to understand phenomena in typical grief, which links loss-related reactions to underlying learning and executive processes. We posit that the competitive relationship between the basal ganglia (BG) and circuitry involving the medial temporal lobe (MTL) underlies common cognitive experiences in grief such as a sense of "brain fog." Due to the intense stressor of bereavement, we suggest that these two systems' usually flexible interactive relationship become imbalanced. The resulting temporary dominance of either the BG or the MTL system is then manifested in perceived cognitive changes. Understanding the underlying neurocognitive mechanism in grief could inform ways to best support bereaved individuals.

SELF-SUPERVISED LEARNING WITH RADIOLOGY REPORTS, A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIES FOR LARGE VESSEL OCCLUSION AND BRAIN CTA IMAGES

Scarcity of labels for medical images is a significant barrier for training representation learning approaches based on deep neural networks. This limitation is also present when using imaging data collected during routine clinical care stored in picture archiving communication systems (PACS), as these data rarely have attached the high-quality labels required for medical image computing tasks. However, medical images extracted from PACS are commonly coupled with descriptive radiology reports that contain significant information and could be leveraged to pre-train imaging models, which could serve as starting points for further task-specific fine-tuning. In this work, we perform a head-to-head comparison of three different self-supervised strategies to pre-train the same imaging model on 3D brain computed tomography angiogram (CTA) images, with large vessel occlusion (LVO) detection as the downstream task. These strategies evaluate two natural language processing (NLP) approaches, one to extract 100 explicit radiology concepts (Rad-SpatialNet) and the other to create general-purpose radiology reports embeddings (DistilBERT). In addition, we experiment with learning radiology concepts directly or by using a recent self-supervised learning approach (CLIP) that learns by ranking the distance between language and image vector embeddings. The LVO detection task was selected because it requires 3D imaging data, is clinically important, and requires the algorithm to learn outputs not explicitly stated in the radiology report. Pre-training was performed on an unlabeled dataset containing 1,542 3D CTA - reports pairs. The downstream task was tested on a labeled dataset of 402 subjects for LVO. We find that the pre-training performed with CLIP-based strategies improve the performance of the imaging model to detect LVO compared to a model trained only on the labeled data. The best performance was achieved by pre-training using the explicit radiology concepts and CLIP strategy.

Are physical performance and frailty assessments useful in targeting and improving access to adjuvant therapy in patients undergoing resection for pancreatic cancer?

BACKGROUND

Many patients fail to receive adjuvant chemotherapy following pancreatic cancer surgery. This study implemented a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to improving recovery after pancreatoduodenectomy (the 'Fast Recovery' programme) and measured its impact on adjuvant chemotherapy uptake and nutritional decline. The predictive accuracies of a bundle of frailty and physical performance assessments, with respect to the recipient of adjuvant chemotherapy, were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The N = 44 patients treated after the introduction of the 'Fast Recovery' programme were not found to have a significantly higher adjuvant chemotherapy uptake than the N = 409 treated before the pathway change (80.5 vs. 74.3%, p = 0.452), but did have a significantly lower average weight loss at six weeks post-operatively (mean: 4.3 vs. 6.9 kg, p = 0.013). Of the pre-operative frailty and physical performance assessments tested, the 6-min walk test was found to be the strongest predictor of the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (area under the ROC curve: 0.91, p = 0.001); all patients achieving distances ≥ 360 m went on to receive adjuvant chemotherapy, compared to 33% of those walking < 360 m.

CONCLUSIONS

The multimodal 'Fast Recovery' programme was not found to significantly improve access to adjuvant chemotherapy, but did appear to have benefits in reducing nutritional decline. Pre-operative assessments were found to be useful in identifying patients at risk of non-receipt of adjuvant therapies, with markers of physical performance appearing to be the best predictors. As such, these markers could be useful in targeting pre- and post-habilitation measures, such as physiotherapy and improved dietetic support.

Cohort profile: the ESC EURObservational Research Programme Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infraction (NSTEMI) Registry

AIMS

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) Registry aims to identify international patterns in NSTEMI management in clinical practice and outcomes against the 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without ST-segment-elevation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutively hospitalised adult NSTEMI patients (n = 3620) were enrolled between 11 March 2019 and 6 March 2021, and individual patient data prospectively collected at 287 centres in 59 participating countries during a two-week enrolment period per centre. The registry collected data relating to baseline characteristics, major outcomes (in-hospital death, acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, bleeding, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, and 30-day mortality) and guideline-recommended NSTEMI care interventions: electrocardiogram pre- or in-hospital, pre-hospitalization receipt of aspirin, echocardiography, coronary angiography, referral to cardiac rehabilitation, smoking cessation advice, dietary advice, and prescription on discharge of aspirin, P2Y12 inhibition, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), beta-blocker, and statin.

CONCLUSION

The EORP NSTEMI Registry is an international, prospective registry of care and outcomes of patients treated for NSTEMI, which will provide unique insights into the contemporary management of hospitalised NSTEMI patients, compliance with ESC 2015 NSTEMI Guidelines, and identify potential barriers to optimal management of this common clinical presentation associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Parathyroid hormone changes in infants investigated for inflicted injury; an observational retrospective single centre cohort study

BACKGROUND

Biochemical and haematological testing is recommended in the United Kingdom when inflicted injury is suspected. We examined the associations of test results with radiologically-confirmed fracture(s), and between test results, in a large retrospective observational cohort.

METHODS

Infants up to age two years presenting with suspected inflicted injury, without clinically or radiologically apparent bone disease, and where a skeletal survey was undertaken during the period 1st August 2013 to 31st December 2020, were included. Biochemical parameters: corrected calcium (cCa); phosphate (P); alkaline phosphatase (ALP); parathyroid hormone (PTH); 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D); and haematological parameters: haemoglobin (Hb); mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH); mean corpuscular haemoglobin content (MCHC); mean corpuscular volume (MCV); platelet count were collated together with the results of the radiological assessments.

FINDINGS

Of 332 eligible infants (190 male), 142 (84 male) had fracture(s) and/or intracranial injury. Mean PTH in the non-fracture group (n measured 50/190) was 27.3 ng/l; in those with intracranial injury alone (n measured 9/23) was 39.4 ng/l; in those with fracture alone (n measured 62/84) was 45.0 ng/l; and in those with fracture and intracranial injury (n measured 20/35) 51.8 ng/l. F-test of multiple means = 0.0369. There was no difference in 25D between the groups.

INTERPRETATION

PTH was raised in infants who had fracture(s), intracranial injury or both. A single raised PTH may not necessarily be an indicator of prior disturbed skeletal health in these circumstances. The relevance of vitamin D status and interpretation of data from biochemical testing should be informed by the overall presentation in suspected inflicted injury cases. A single raised PTH may be a consequence of the child's injuries rather than prior disturbed bone health.

Epidemiology and impact of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a medical syndrome characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Data regarding the relationship between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) are still inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to perform a comprehensive evaluation of frailty in a large European cohort of AF patients.

METHODS

A 40-item frailty index (FI) was built according to the accumulation of deficits model in the AF patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Association of baseline characteristics, clinical management, quality of life, healthcare resources use and risk of outcomes with frailty was examined.

RESULTS

Among 10,177 patients [mean age (standard deviation) 69.0 (11.4) years, 4,103 (40.3%) females], 6,066 (59.6%) were pre-frail and 2,172 (21.3%) were frail, whereas only 1,939 (19.1%) were considered robust. Baseline thromboembolic and bleeding risks were independently associated with increasing FI. Frail patients with AF were less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.89), especially with non-vitamin K antagonist OACs and managed with a rhythm control strategy, compared with robust patients. Increasing frailty was associated with a higher risk for all outcomes examined, with a non-linear exponential relationship. The use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of outcomes, except in patients with very/extremely high frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of AF patients, there was a high burden of frailty, influencing clinical management and risk of adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of OAC is maintained in patients with high frailty, but not in very high/extremely frail ones.

Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

No effective pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions exist for patients with long COVID. We aimed to describe recovery 1 year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, identify factors associated with patient-perceived recovery, and identify potential therapeutic targets by describing the underlying inflammatory profiles of the previously described recovery clusters at 5 months after hospital discharge.

METHODS

The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study recruiting adults (aged ≥18 years) discharged from hospital with COVID-19 across the UK. Recovery was assessed using patient-reported outcome measures, physical performance, and organ function at 5 months and 1 year after hospital discharge, and stratified by both patient-perceived recovery and recovery cluster. Hierarchical logistic regression modelling was performed for patient-perceived recovery at 1 year. Cluster analysis was done using the clustering large applications k-medoids approach using clinical outcomes at 5 months. Inflammatory protein profiling was analysed from plasma at the 5-month visit. This study is registered on the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN10980107, and recruitment is ongoing.

FINDINGS

2320 participants discharged from hospital between March 7, 2020, and April 18, 2021, were assessed at 5 months after discharge and 807 (32·7%) participants completed both the 5-month and 1-year visits. 279 (35·6%) of these 807 patients were women and 505 (64·4%) were men, with a mean age of 58·7 (SD 12·5) years, and 224 (27·8%) had received invasive mechanical ventilation (WHO class 7-9). The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804). Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99]), obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76]). Cluster analysis (n=1636) corroborated the previously reported four clusters: very severe, severe, moderate with cognitive impairment, and mild, relating to the severity of physical health, mental health, and cognitive impairment at 5 months. We found increased inflammatory mediators of tissue damage and repair in both the very severe and the moderate with cognitive impairment clusters compared with the mild cluster, including IL-6 concentration, which was increased in both comparisons (n=626 participants). We found a substantial deficit in median EQ-5D-5L utility index from before COVID-19 (retrospective assessment; 0·88 [IQR 0·74-1·00]), at 5 months (0·74 [0·64-0·88]) to 1 year (0·75 [0·62-0·88]), with minimal improvements across all outcome measures at 1 year after discharge in the whole cohort and within each of the four clusters.

INTERPRETATION

The sequelae of a hospital admission with COVID-19 were substantial 1 year after discharge across a range of health domains, with the minority in our cohort feeling fully recovered. Patient-perceived health-related quality of life was reduced at 1 year compared with before hospital admission. Systematic inflammation and obesity are potential treatable traits that warrant further investigation in clinical trials.

FUNDING

UK Research and Innovation and National Institute for Health Research.

The impulsive horse: comparing genetic, physiological and behavioral indicators to that of human addiction

Stress and genotype elicit changes in impulse control in a range of species that are attributable to adaptations in both the central and peripheral nervous system. We examined aspects of this mechanism in the horse by assessing the effect of a dopamine receptor genotype (DRD4) and central dopaminergic tone (measured via spontaneous blink rate [SBR] and behavioral initiation rate [BIR]), on measures of impulsivity, compulsivity (3-choice serial reaction time task) and sympathetic/ parasympathetic system balance (heart rate variability [HRV]). Genotype did not have a significant effect on any of the parameters measured. SBR but not BIR correlated significantly with levels of impulsivity. There was no clear association of HRV parameters with either measures of central dopaminergic activity or impulsivity/compulsivity. Overall, some elements of the data suggest that the horse may be a useful animal model for assessing the genetic and environmental factors that lead to the physiological and behavioral phenotype of human addiction, particularly when considering the relationship between central dopaminergic tone and impulsivity.

AB1094 SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VACCINES FOR SARS-CoV-2 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC AND IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES: DATA FROM THE ARGENTINEAN REGISTRY SAR-CoVAC

Background

Currently there is little information on the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated diseases and/or under immunosuppressive treatment in our country, where different types of vaccines and mix regimens are used. For this reason, the Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR) with the Argentine Society of Psoriasis (SOARPSO) set out to develop a national register of patients with rheumatic and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) who have received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in order to assess their efficacy and safety in this population.

Objectives

To assess SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatic and IMIDs.

Methods

SAR-CoVAC is a national, multicenter and observational registry. Adult patients with a diagnosis of rheumatic or IMIDs who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1st and September 17th, 2021. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, underlying rheumatic or IMIDs, treatments received and their modification prior to vaccination and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded. In addition, the date and place of vaccination, type of vaccine applied, scheme and indication will be registered. Finally, adverse events (AE), as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection after the application of the vaccine were documented

Results

A total of 1234 patients were included, 79% were female, with a mean age of 57.8 (SD 14.1) years. The most frequent diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (41.2%), osteoarthritis (14.5%), psoriasis (12.7%) and spondyloarthritis (12.3%). Most of them were in remission (28.5%) and low disease activity (41.4%). At the time of vaccination, 21% were receiving glucocorticoid treatment, 35.7% methotrexate, 29.7% biological (b) Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and 5.4% JAK inhibitors. Before vaccine application 16.9% had had a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Regarding the first dose of the vaccine, the most of the patients (51.1%) received Gam-COVID-Vac, followed by ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (32.8%) and BBIBP-CorV (14.5%). In a lesser proportion, BNT162b2 (0.6%), Ad26.COV2.S (0.2%) and CoronaVac (0.2%) vaccines were used. Almost half of them (48.8%) completed the scheme, 12.5% were mix regimenes, the most frequent being Gam-COVID-Vac / mRNA-1273. The median time between doses was 51days (IQR 53).

More than a quarter (25.9%) of the patients reported at least one AE after the first dose and 15.9% after the second. The flu-like syndrome and local hypersensitivity were the most frequent manifestations. There was one case of mild anaphylaxis. No patient was hospitalized. Altogether, the incidence of AE was 246.5 events/1000 doses. BBIBP-CorV presented significantly lower incidence of AE in comparison with the other types of vaccines. (118.5 events/1000 doses, p<0.002 in all cases)

Regarding efficacy, 63 events of SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported after vaccination, 19% occurred before 14 days post-vaccination, 57.1% after the first dose (>14 days) and 23.8% after the second. In most cases (85.9%) the infection was asymptomatic or had an outpatient course and 2 died due to COVID-19.

Conclusion

In this national cohort of patients with rheumatic and IMIDs vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the most widely used vaccines were Gam-COVID-Vac and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, approximately half completed the schedule and in most cases homologously. A quarter of the patients presented some AE, while 5.1% presented SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination, in most cases mild.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1199 IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS A RISK FACTOR FOR SEVERE COVID -19 INFECTION? DATA FROM THE ARGENTINIAN REGISTRY SAR-COVID

Background

Comorbidities, particularly cardio-metabolic disorders, are highly prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and they were associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which have been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Whether PsA enhances the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or affects the disease outcome remains to be ascertained.

Objectives

To describe the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of patients with PsA with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from the SAR-COVID registry and to identify the variables associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes, comparing them with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study including patients ≥18 years old, with diagnosis of PsA (CASPAR criteria) and RA (ACR / EULAR 2010 criteria), who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or serology) from the SAR-COVID registry. Recruitment period was between August 13, 2020 and July 31, 2021. Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, and treatments were analyzed. To assess the severity of the infection, the ordinal scale of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)1 was used, and it was considered that a patient met the primary outcome, if they presented criteria of categories 5 or higher on the severity scale. For this analysis, Chi2 test, Fisher’s test, Student’s test or Wilcoxon test, and binomial logistic regression using NIAID>=5 as dependent variable were performed.

Results

A total of 129 PsA patients and 808 with RA were included. Clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Regarding PsA treatment, 12.4% of PsA were receiving IL-17 inhibitors, 5.4% IL12-23 inhibitors, one patient apremilast and one abatacept. The frequency of NIAID≥5 was comparable between groups (PsA 19.5% vs RA 20.1%; p=0.976). (Figure 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of patients with PsA and RA who presented COVID-19 in the SAR-COVID registry.

Psoriatic arthritis (n=129)Rheumatoid arthritis (n=808)P valueTotal (n=937)Age (years), mean (SD)51.7 (12.7)53.1 (12.9)0.23952.9 (12.9)Female72 (55.8)684 (84.7)<0.001756 (80.7)Comorbidities65 (50.4)355 (43.9)0.203420 (44.8) Obesity (BMI ≥30)19 (15.2)102 (13.4)0.692121 (13.7) Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40)1 (0.8)10 (1.3)111 (1.25) Hypertension35 (28.5)205 (26.8)0.783240 (27.0) Diabetes16 (13.0)67 (8.8)0.18883 (9.39) Dyslipidemia24 (19.5)102 (13.5)0.106126 (14.4) Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease5 (11.4)32 (3.9)0.03337 (4.2)Two or more comorbidities55 (42.6)219 (27.1)<0.001274 (29.2)Current smoking4 (3.6)60 (8.4)0.7964 (7.7)High disease activity0 (0)29 (3.8)0.02729 (3.23)Glucocorticoids treatment5 (20.0)95 (60.1)<0.001100 (54.6)Conventional DMARDs47 (36.4)443 (54.8)<0.001490 (52.3)Biologic DMARDs60 (46.5)193 (23.9)<0.001253 (27.0)JAK inhibitors4 (3.10)72 (8.9)0.03876 (8.1)Full recovery of COVID-19105 (84.0)644 (81.7)0.127749 (82.0)COVID-19 complications16 (12.5)68 (8.7)0.22784 (9.2)Death due to COVID-191 (0.8)34 (4.3)0.07435 (3.8)

Notes=values n (%) unless otherwise indicated; BMI: Body Mass Index; DMARDs: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; JAK inhibitors: Janus kinase inhibitors.

PsA patients with NIAID≥5 in comparison with NIAID<5 were older (58.6±11.4 vs 50±12.5; p=0.002), had more frequently hypertension (52.2% vs 23%; p=0.011) and dyslipidemia (39.1% vs 15%; p=0.017). In the multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02–1.11) was associated with a worse outcome of the COVID-19 (NIAID≥5) in patients with PsA, while those who received methotrexate (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.11–0.92) and biological DMARDs (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.09–0.78) had a better outcome.

Conclusion

Although PsA patients have a higher frequency of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities than those with RA, the COVID-19 severity was similar. Most of the patients had mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and a low death rate.

References

[1]Beigel JH, et al. Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 - Final Report. N Engl J Med. 2020 Nov 5;383(19):1813-1826.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1204 SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION AFTER VACCINATION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES FROM ARGENTINA

Background

Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials. Though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. However in our country, adenovirus and inactivated vaccines, as well as heterologous schemes are frequently used.

Objectives

To describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in patients with RD from de the SAR-CoVAC registry and to compare them with patients who got infected before vaccination. Additionally, factors associated with COVID-19 unfavorable outcome were assessed.

Methods

Adult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021. Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR o serology) was reported by the treated physician. Infection after an incomplete scheme was defined when the event was diagnosed at least 14 days after first dose; and after a complete scheme when it occurred > 14 days after second dose. Homologous scheme is defined by two same doses of vaccine and heterologous by two different doses. Patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded. To compare SARS-CoV-2 infection characteristics in not vaccinated patients, subjects from the SAR-COVID registry, which includes patients with RD and SARS-CoV-2 infection, were matched 2:1 by gender, age and RD.

WHO-Ordinal Scale ≥5 was used to define unfavorable infection outcome. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test and ANOVA were used.

Results

A total of 1350 patients from the SAR COVAC registry were included, 67 (5%) presented SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination. The later were mostly (72%) females with a mean age of 57 (SD 15) years old. The most frequent RD were rheumatoid arthritis (41%), psoriatic arthritis (12%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). At vaccination, most of them (75%) had low disease activity or remission, 19% were taking steroids, 39% methotrexate, 27% bDMARDs and 6% JAK inhibitors.

A total of 11 (16%) patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection <14 days after the first vaccine dose, 39 (58%) after an incomplete scheme and 17 (25 %) following a complete one. In the incomplete scheme group, 59% received Gam-COVID-Vac, 31% ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and 10% BBIBP-CorV; and in patients with complete scheme 47%, 24% and 29%, respectively. No event was reported after a complete heterologous scheme. No significant differences regarding sociodemoghraphic characteristics, RD, disease treatment, type of vaccine and regimen was found between in those with infection and those without it.

After vaccination only 8 (12%) of the patients who got infected had an unfavorable course, 88% of them following an incomplete scheme (5 received Gam-COVID-Vac, 1 ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and 1 BBIBP-CorV) and one subject after a complete homologous Gam-COVID-Vac scheme. Having an unfavorable outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated to: male gender [63% vs 24%, p=0.036], older age [mean 70 years (SD 7) vs 55 years (SD 15), p=0.005], being Caucasian [100% vs 54%, p=0.018], higher education [mean 17 years (SD 4) vs 12 years (SD 4), p=0.010], the presence of comorbidities [100% vs 39%, p=0.001, having pulmonary disease [37% vs 5%, p=0.019], dyslipidemia [63% vs 17%, p=0.011] and arterial hypertension [63% vs 24%, p=0.036], RD, treatments, disease activity and types of vaccines received were comparable between groups.

When comparing patients with and without vaccination prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, those who received at least one dose of vaccine had less frequently severe COVID-19 (12% vs 24%, p=0.067) and presented lower mortality due to COVID-19 (3% vs 6%, p=0.498). However these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

In the SAR-CoVAC registry 5% of the patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination, most of them mild and 25% after a complete scheme. Any vaccine was associated with severe COVID-19. When comparing with non-vaccinated patients, those with at least one dose, had less frequently severe disease and died due COVID-19.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1200 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE SECOND WAVE OF SARS-COV-2 INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES IN ARGENTINA: DATA FROM THE SAR-COVID REGISTRY

Background

In Argentina we have witnessed two COVID 19 waves between 2020 and 2021. The first wave occurred during the spring of 2020 and it was related to the wild type of the virus, the second occurred during the fall/winter of 2021 when the gamma variant showed a clear predominance. During the first wave, patient with rheumatic diseases showed a higher frequency of hospitalization and mortality (4% vs 0.26%) when compared to the general population1; at that time, however, vaccination was not yet available.

Objectives

To compare sociodemographic and disease characteristics, course and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated/autoinflammatory diseases (IMADs) during the first and second waves in Argentina.

Methods

SAR-COVID is a national, multicenter, longitudinal and observational registry, in which patients ≥18 years of age, with a diagnosis of a rheumatic disease who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or positive serology) were consecutively included since August 2020. For the purpose of this report, only patients with IMADs who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave (defined as cases occurred between March 2020 and March 2021) and the second wave (cases occurred between April and August 2021) were examined. Sociodemographic characteristics, disease diagnosis and activity, comorbidities, immunosuppressive treatment and COVID 19 clinical characteristics, complications and outcomes: hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, use of mechanical ventilation and death were compared among groups. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Variables were compared with Chi squared test and Student T test or Mann Whitney test. Multivariable logistic regression models with forward and backward selection method, using hospitalization, ICU admission and death as dependent variables were carried out.

Results

A total of 1777 patients were included, 1342 from the first wave and 435 of the second one. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 50.7 (14.2) years and 81% were female. Both groups of patients were similar in terms of socio-demographic features, disease diagnosis, disease activity, the use of glucocorticoids ≥ 10 mg/day and the immunosuppressive drugs (Table 1 below). Patients infected during the first wave have higher frequency of comorbidities (49% vs 41%; p= 0.004). Hospitalizations due to COVID 19 (31% vs 20%; p <0.001) and ICU admissions (9% vs 5%; p= 0.009) were higher during the first wave. No differences in the use of mechanical ventilation (16% vs 16%; p= 0.97) nor in the mortality rate (5% vs 4%; p= 0.41) were observed. In the multivariable analysis, after adjusting for demographics, clinical features and immunosuppressive treatment, patients infected during the second wave were 40% less likely to be hospitalized (OR= 0.6, IC95% 0.4-0.8) and to be admitted to the ICU (OR= 0.6, IC95% 0.3-0.9).

Table 1.Variable (% or Mean – SD)First wave(n=1342)Second wave(n=435)p ValueFemale gender81800.7Age (years)51.0 (14.5)50.0 (13.3)0.2Disease diagnosis Rheumatoid arthritis46461 Ankylosing spondylitis10110.8 Systemic lupus erythematosus171850.9 Systemic Scleroderma551 Sjögren´s syndrome650.7 Inflammatory myopathies330.5 Vasculitis430.4Disease activity High430.5Use of immune modulatorsDMARDcs53560.2DMARDts460.1DMARDb82821Use of glucocorticoids ≥10 mg12120.9Comorbidities49410.004

Conclusion

The impact of COVID 19 in Argentina, in terms of mortality in patients with IMADs was still higher compared to the general population during the second wave. However, the frequency of hospitalizations and ICU admissions was lower. These findings could be explained by the introduction of the SARS COV 2 vaccination and, probably, by the cumulative knowledge and management improvement of this infection among physicians.

References

[1]Isnardi CA et al. Epidemiology and outcomes of patients with rheumatic diseases and SARS-COV-2 infection: data from the argentinean SAR-COVID Registry. Ann Rheum Dis, 2021, suppl 1, 887.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB1101 PREVALENCE OF LONG COVID IN RHEUMATIC DISEASE PATIENTS: ANALYSIS OF SAR COVID REGISTRY

Background

Persistent symptoms after acute COVID have been described previously. Main symptoms reported are fatigue, arthralgias, myalgias and mental sickness. Definition and methods vary widely.1

Objectives

To asses prevalence and related factors to long COVID in a retrospective cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases from Argentina.

Methods

A total of 1915 patients were registered from August 18th, 2020 to July 29th, 2021. Patients > 18 years old, with rheumatic disease and confirmed infection by SARS-CoV-2 (antigen or RT-PCR) were included. Those dead, with unknown outcome, wrong date or missing data were excluded. Demographic data, comorbidities, rheumatic disease, and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded.

Long COVID was defined according to NICE guidelines (persistent symptoms for more than 4 weeks, without alternative diagnosis). Long COVID symptoms were defined by rheumatologist. Severity of infection was classified according to WHO ordinal scale.

We used descriptive statistics, univariate model (Student’s test, chi square test, ANOVA) and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

230 (12%) had long COVID. Median age was 51 (IQR 40-61]) years, 82% were females, 51% were not caucasian. Median of education was 13.3 years (IQR 12 – 16), 79 % had private health insurance and 55 % were employed. Nearly half (n=762, 46%) had comorbidities, the most prevalent was hypertension (n=396, 24%).

The most frequent rheumatic diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (n=719, 42%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (n=280, 16 %). Most were in low activity/remission (79%), used Conventional DMARD (n=773 patients, 45%) and steroids (n=588, 34%) at low dose (n=415, 71%).

Main laboratory findings were abnormal D-dimer (n=94, 28%) and leukopenia (n=93, 26%). Most patients had a WHO ordinal scale < 5 (n=1472, 86%). Median of hospitalization at intensive care unit (ICU) was 8 days [IQR 5, 13]. Treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection (steroids, anticoagulation, azithromycin, convalescent plasma) was used in 461 (27%) patients.

Most of long COVID (n= 152, 69%) reported 1 symptom, the most frequent was fatigue (n= 55, 22%). Figure 1.

Univariate analysis is presented in Table 1. In multivariate logistic regression analysis non-caucasian ethnicity OR 1.44 (1.07-1.95), years of education OR 1.05 (1-1.09), treatment with cyclophosphamide OR 11.35 (1.56-112.97), symptoms of COVID – 19 OR 13.26 (2.75-242.08), severity scale WHO ≥ 5 OR 2.46 (1.68-3.57), and ICU hospitalization days OR 1.09 (1.05-1.14) were factors associated to long COVID.

Table 1.

Univariate analysis of long COVID syndrome in SAR – COVID registry

VariableAcute COVID n=1486Long COVID n=221P valueAge, years, median [IQR]51 [40, 60]54 [42, 62]0.032Caucasian, n (%)744 (48)132 (53)0.227Female sex, n (%)1242 (80)215 (86)0.066Education, years, median [IQR]12 [10, 17]13 [12, 16]-Private health insurance, n (%)1161 (79)181 (82)0.325Smoking, n (%)381 (25)71 (29)0.224Comorbidities, n (%)650 (45)108 (52)0.066Dyslipidemia, n (%)173 (12)39 (19)0.008Hypertension, n (%)332 (23)60 (29)0.053Low activity/remission disease, n (%)1140 (80)179 (77)1Rheumatoid arthritis, n (%)623 (42)96 (42)1Systemic lupus erythematosus, n (%)243 (16)37 (16)0.996DMARD, n (%)664 (45)109 (47)0.486Cyclophosphamide, n (%)3 (0.2)3 (1)0.035Rituximab, n (%)19 (1)9 (34)0.008Lymphocyte66 (23)19 (30)0.011<1.500 / mm3, n (%)Ferritin > 2000 ng/ml, n (%)32 (11)16 (25)0.011ICU hospitalization, days,7 [4, 10]10 [8, 24]<0.001median [IQR]Treatment for COVID-19, n (%)394 (27)91 (41)<0.001

Conclusion

Prevalence of long COVID was 12%. Non-caucasian ethnicity, higher education, treatment with cyclophosphamide, symptoms of COVID – 19, severe disease and ICU hospitalization days were related to long COVID.

References

[1]Cabrera Martimbianco AL, Pacheco RL, Bagattini ÂM, Riera R. Frequency, signs and symptoms, and criteria adopted for long COVID-19: A systematic review. Int J Clin Pract.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1238 GLUCOCORTICOIDS, RITUXIMAB AND THE PRESENCE OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH POOR OUTCOMES OF THE SARS-COV-2 INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: DATA FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTRY SAR-COVID

Background

High disease activity, treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) and rituximab (RTX), have been related to worse outcomes of COVID-19.

Objectives

To assess the clinical characteristics and severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) included in the SAR-COVID registry and to identify factors associated with poor outcomes.

Methods

SAR-COVID is a national, longitudinal and observational registry. Patients of ≥18 years old, with diagnosis of RA (ACR-EULAR criteria 2010) who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or positive serology) were included between 13-8-20 and 31-7-21. Sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidities, disease activity and treatment at the moment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection were collected. Additionally, infection symptoms, complications, medical interventions and treatments for COVID-19 were registered. Infection severity was assessed using the WHO-ordinal scale (WHO-OS)1. A cut-off value of ≥5 identified patients with severe COVID-19 and those who died.

Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics. Chi2 or Fischer test, Student T test or Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis or ANOVA, as appropriate. Multiple logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 801 patients were included, with a mean age of 53.1 ± 12.9 years, most of them were female (84.5%) and the median (m) disease duration was 8 years (IQR 4-14). One third were in remission and 46.4% had comorbidities, being the most frequent, hypertension (26.9 %), dyslipidemia (13.5 %), obesity (13.4 %) and diabetes (8.9%). Moreover, 3.2% had interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with RA. At SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, 42.5% were receiving glucocorticoids (GC), 73.9% conventional (c) disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), 24% biologic (b) DMARD and 9.1% targeted synthetic (ts) DMARD. Among bDMARD, the most frequently used were TNF inhibitors (17%), followed by abatacept (2.8%), IL-6 inhibitors (2.4%) and rituximab (RTX) (2.1%). During the SARS-CoV-2 infection, 95.8% had symptoms, 27% required hospitalization, 7.9% presented complications and 4.4% died due to COVID-19. Severe disease and death (WHO-OS≥5) was present in 7.5% of the patients. They were older (62.9±12.5 vs 52.2±12.7, p<0.001), and they had more frequently ILD (18.5% vs 2%, p<0.001), comorbidities (82.5% vs 43.7%, p<0.001), ≥2 comorbidities (60.3% vs 25.8%, p<0.001), treatment with GC (61% vs 40.7%, p=0.04) and RTX (8.3% vs 1.6%, p=0.007). Conversely, the use of cDMARD and TNF inhibitors was more frequent in patients with WHO-OS<5, nevertheless this difference was not significant. Disease activity was comparable between groups. In multivariable analysis, older age, the presence of diabetes, ILD, the use of GC and RTX were significantly associated with WHO-OS≥5 (Figure 1). Furthermore, older age (65.7±10.8 vs 52.4±12.8, p<0.001), the presence of comorbidities (87.9% vs 44.7%, p<0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (21.9% vs 5.2%, p=0.002), diabetes (30.3% vs 7.9%, p<0.001), hypertension (57.6% vs 25.6%, p<0.001), cardiovascular disease (15.6% vs 3.2%, p=0.005), cancer (9.1% vs 1.3%, p=0.001), ILD (23.3% vs 2.4%, p<0.001) and the use of GC (61.8% vs 41.4%, p=0.02) were associated with mortality. Older age [OR 1.1 IC95% 1.06-1.13] and the use of GC 5-10 mg/day [OR 4.6 IC95% 1.8-11.6] remained significantly associated with death due to COVID-19.

Figure 1.

Factors associated with severe disease and death due to COVID-19 (WHO-OS≥5) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Multivariable analysis. (ref.: reference; PDN: prednisone; OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval)

Conclusion

Treatment with RTX and GC, as well as older age, the presence of diabetes and ILD were associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes in this national cohort of patients with RA. Older patients and those taking GC had a higher mortality rate.

References

[1]World Health Organization coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Therapeutic Trial Synopsis Draft 2020.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1201 SAFETY OF SARS-COV-2 VACCINES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES: DATA FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTRY SAR-CoVAC FROM ARGENTINA

Background

Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials, though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. In our country, adenovirus-vector, inactivated and heterologous scheme vaccines are frequently used.

Objectives

To describe the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with RD from the national registry SAR-CoVAC and to assess sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to AE and disease flares after vaccination.

Methods

Adult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 from de Argentine Society of Rheumatology Vaccine Registry (SAR-CoVAC) were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021, This is a national multicentric observational registry that includes patients that have received at least one dose of any SARS-CoV-2 available vaccines in Argentina. Data is voluntarily collected by the treating physician. Naranjo scale was use to assess the association between the AE and vaccination.

Homologous and heterologous schedules were defined according to whether both vaccines received were the same or different, respectively. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test, ANOVA and multivariate regression logistic model were used.

Results

A total of 1679 patients, with 2795 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses were included. Vaccines more frequently used were: Gam-COVID-Vac (1227 doses, 44%), ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (872 doses, 31%), BBIBP-CorV (482 doses, 17%) and mRAN-1273 (172 doses, 6%). Altogether, 510 EA were experienced by 449 (27%) patients. Pseudo-flu syndrome was the most frequent (11%), followed by injection site reaction (7%). They were significantly more frequent after the first dose in comparison to the second one (13% vs 7% and 9% vs 5%, respectively, p<0.001 in both cases). All were mild or moderate and no patient was hospitalized due to an AE. One case of moderate anaphylaxis was reported by a patient who received Gam-COVID-Vac. No cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia were observed. There were 25 disease flares reported, 17 (68%) cases of arthritis. Among patients with two doses, those with heterologous schedule presented AE more frequent after the second dose (39% vs 17%).

Total incidence of EA was 182.5 events/10 00 doses, it was significantly lower for BBIBP-CorV (105.9 events/1000 dosis, p<0.002 for all cases). The higher incidence of AE was observed for mRAN-1273 (261.6 events/1000 doses) and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (232.8 events/1000 doses).

Patients with AE were younger [mean 55 years (SD 14) vs 59 years (SD 14), p <0.010], not Caucasian ethnicity [48% vs 35%, p<0.001], had higher education level [mean 13.8 years (SD 4) vs 11.9 years (SD 5), p<0.001], were more frequently employed [54% vs 44%, p<0.001], lived mostly in urban area [99% vs 95% p <0.001, had more frequently dyslipidemia [38% vs 28% p 0.012], and less frequently arterial hypertension [49% vs 65%, p<0.001]. Systemic lupus erythematosus [11% vs 7%, p=0.039] and Sjögren syndrome [6% vs 1.8%, p<0.001] were more frequent among them, while non inflammatory diseases were less prevalent [19% vs 31%, p<0.001]. They were taking steroids [24 vs 18%, p=0.007], antimalarials [17% vs 10%, p<0.001] and methotrexate [41% vs 31%, p <0.001] more frequently.

In the multivariable analysis, mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 were associated with AE, while BBIBP-CorV with lower probability of having one. (Figure 1)

Figure 1.

Variables associated with the development of AE. Multivariate logistic regression model

Conclusion

The incidence of AE was 1825 events/1000 doses, were significantly higher for mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and lower for BBIBP-CorV. Most common AE was pseudo-flu syndrome. Female sex, being younger, higher education level, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and mRAN-1273 vaccines, the use of methotrexate and antimalarials were related of EA in patients with RD.

References

[1]Sattui SE et al. Early experience of COVID-19 vaccination in adults with systemic rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey. RMD Open 2021;7.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0655 SURVIVAL AND SAFETY OF BIOLOGICAL AND TARGETED SYNTHETIC THERAPIES AS REGARDS TO AGE GROUPS. BIOBADASAR 3.0 REGISTRY

Background

Advances in rheumatology and new therapeutic options have certainly impacted patient survival, changing the age range, from youth to seniors. The differences between the age groups could influence the evolution of the disease and the adverse events (AEs) related to the treatments. There are few real-world data on the safety and efficacy of treatments in different age groups.

Objectives

To evaluate the frequency of AEs and the survival of treatments according to the age in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Retrospective, observational, multicenter study of real-life data of patients included in the BIOBADASAR 3.0 registry; exposed and not exposed to original biological treatments (b-DMARDs), biosimilars, targeted synthetic drugs (ts-DMARDs). The unexposed group received treatment with conventional disease-modifying drugs (cDMARDs). A Kaplan-Meier and Log Rank Test analysis was performed to study AEs-free survival and treatment in different age groups (young people <25; young adults 25-34; mature adults 34-65; old adults >65). Factors related to treatment survival were evaluated using Cox regression models.

Results

5,297 patients were included, 80.3% female, mean age 43.7 years (SD 15.6) and median disease progression 14.3 [IQR 11.5]. RA 4658 (87.9%); APs 490 (9.25%) and EA 149 (2.8%). The main reason for treatment discontinuation was ineffectiveness, in 624 patients in the exposed group and in 53 (2.5%) patients in control group, followed by the presence of AEs in 352 (11.2%) and 83 (3.9%), respectively (p=0.001).

A mean Charlson Score of 0.268 (SD 0.6) in the exposed group and 0.306 (SD 0.7) in the control group (p=0.095). Median EAs-free survival in the exposed group was 12.5 years [IQR 16.6] while in controls was 28 years [IQR 11], p<0.0001. Median AEs-free survival was 12 years (IQR 11) in young people, 11.5 years [IQR: 4.9] in young adults, 10 years [IQR: 3.25] in mature adults and 7.6 years [IQR: 6] in old adults with a difference statistically significant (p>0.017). The exposed group presented a median treatment survival in years of 11.25 years [IQR: 10] in young people; 12.5 years [IQR: 4.7] in young adults, 7.5 years [IQR: 12.1] in mature adults and 4.5 years [IQR: 1.14] in old adults (p>0.0001). Considering only the first line of treatment, a median survival of 11.5 years [IQR: 10] was evidenced in the age group <25; 12 years [IQR: 2.6] between 25-34 years old, 10 years [IQR: 12] in the group between 34-65 years old and 5.5 years [IQR: 1.14] in the group > 65 years old (p>0.004). (Figure 1). Considering the second line of treatment, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p=0.57). In the multivariate regression model for patients with RA, the factors with the greatest impact on treatment survival were female sex (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.4), old age (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.008-1.01), treatment with steroids (HR 1.19, 95% CI1.1-1.2) and longer disease duration (HR 1.01, 95% CI1.01 – 1.02).

Conclusion

In the present study we were able to demonstrate a greater occurrence of AEs in old adults and mature adults compared to young people and young adults. Conversely, survival for b-DMARDs and ts-DMARDs were greater in youth and young adults. In patients with RA, female sex, corticosteroid therapy, old aged and longer disease duration were associated with treatment discontinuation.

References

[1]Souto A, et al. Rate of discontinuation and drug survival of biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of drug registries and health care databases. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016;55(3):523–34.

[2]Ray D, et al. Immune senescence, epigenetics and autoimmunity. Clin Immunol. 2018 Nov;196:59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.04.002. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

[3]Vela P, et al. Influence of age on the occurrence of adverse events in rheumatic patients at the onset of biological treatment: data from the BIOBADASER III register. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020 Jun 15;22(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13075-020-02231-x.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Low Hospice Utilization in New York State: Framework for Compiling and Ranking Barriers

Background: The hospice benefit can improve end-of-life outcomes, but is underutilized, particularly in low enrollment states such as New York. Little is known about this underutilization. Objective: The first part of a mixed-methods study aimed to compile and rank barriers to hospice utilization and identify differences between New York and the rest of the United States. Setting/Subjects and Design: Clinicians, administrators, and hospice employees participated in six sessions (6-12 per session) across New York State, USA. During each session, a methodology known as nominal group technique was used to elicit barriers to hospice, identify those specific to New York, and suggest interventions to improve access. The analysis involved first categorizing and ranking barriers, and then conducting a thematic analysis of session transcripts to examine barriers specific to New York and proposed interventions to improve utilization. Results: Fifty-seven participants ranked 54 barriers, which were grouped into nine categories. These reflected concerns about clinician knowledge and attitudes or beliefs; patient and family knowledge, attitudes or beliefs, and resources; and both structural elements and practices of hospices, nursing homes, palliative care services, and other entities in the health care system. Thirteen barriers from eight categories were ranked among the top five by ≥10% of participants; only 10 of the 54 were judged to be specific to New York. Thematic analysis highlighted 14 barriers important in New York and suggested 11 interventions to improve hospice access. Conclusions: A categorization and ranking of barriers may guide future interventions to improve low hospice utilization. Novel studies with heterogeneous stakeholders are needed.

O-P01 Potential Utility of Intraoperative Fluid Amylase Measurement During Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a source of major morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment of POPF is mandatory to improve patient outcomes, and clinical risk scores may be combined with postoperative drain fluid amylase (DFA) values to stratify patients.

The aim of this study was to determine if intraoperative fluid amylase values (IFA) correlate with DFA1 and POPF.

Methods

In consecutive patients undergoing PD between February and November 2020, intraoperative samples of intra-abdominal fluid adjacent to the pancreatic anastomosis were taken and sent for fluid amylase measurement prior to abdominal closure. Data regarding patient demographics, postoperative DFA values, complications and mortality were prospectively collected.

Results

Patient Demographics: Data was obtained for 52 patients with a median alternative Fistula Risk Score (aFRS) of 9.4. Postoperative complications occurred in 20 patients (38%), including five Clavien grade 3+. There were eight POPFs and two patients died (pneumonia/sepsis). There was significant correlation between IFA and DFA1 (Pearson’s correlation: R2=0.713; p &lt; 0.001) and DFA3 (p &lt; 0.001), and median IFA was higher in patients with POPF than patients without (1232.5 vs. 122; p = 0.0003). IFA&gt;260 U/l predicted POPF with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 88%, 75%, 39% and 97%, respectively. The incidence of POPF was 43% in high risk (high aFRS/IFA) and 0% in low risk patients (low aFRS/IFA).

Complications:

Conclusions

Intraoperative fluid amylase closely correlated with postoperative pancreatic fistula, and may be a useful adjunct to clinical risk scores to stratify patients during pancreatico-duodenectomy, allowing targeted intervention to reduce the clinical impact of pancreatic fistula.It is possible to detect fluid amylase adjacent to the completed pancreatic anastomosis in patients undergoing PD. Presence of IFA correlates with postoperative DFA and POPF.

IFA increases the accuracy of the alternate Fistula Risk Score in predicting POPF. Low risk patients with a low IFA may be suitable for a ‘no drain’ strategy, whilst patients with a high IFA may benefit from intraoperative mitigation strategies to reduce the incidence and/or severity of a postoperative pancreatic fistula.

POS1188 COVID-19 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES: COMPARISON OF DATA FROM THE ARGENTINE REGISTRY (SAR-COVID), WITH THE LATIN AMERICAN AND GLOBAL REGISTRY (GLOBAL RHEUMATOLOGY ALLIANCE)

Background:

SARS CoV-2 infection has recently burst onto the global scene, and the knowledge of the course of this infection in patients with rheumatic diseases receiving immunomodulatory treatment is still insufficient. The Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR) designed a national registry called SAR-COVID in order to get to assess our reality.

Objectives:

To identify the particular characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 in Argentina (SAR-COVID Registry), and to compare them with the data reported at the Latin American and Global level (Global International Alliance Rheum-COVID Registry).

Methods:

A national, multicenter, prospective and observational registry was carried out. Patients older than 18 years, with a diagnosis of rheumatic disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR or serology, were included between August 13, 2020 and January 17, 2021. Demographic data, underlying rheumatic disease (activity of the disease, current treatment), comorbidities, clinical-laboratory characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as received treatments (pharmacological, oxygen therapy / ventilatory support) and outcomes (hospitalization, mortality) were recorded. The characteristics of the included patients were compared with the data reported at the Latin American and global level. Descriptive statistics were performed. Comparisons between groups were made using ANOVA, chi2 or Fisher’s test, according to the type of variable.

Results:

Four hundred sixty-five patients from Argentina, 74 patients from Latin America and 583 from the rest of the world were included, mostly women (79.6%, 73% and 71% respectively), with a mean age of 50.2 (SD 15.3), 53.5 (DE 15.6) and 55.8 (15.5), years respectively. The most frequent rheumatic diseases in the three groups were rheumatoid arthritis (43.9%, 35%, and 39%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (16.1%, 22%, and 14%) (Table 1).

In Argentina, fewer patients received specific pharmacological treatment for COVID-19 (40.9%, 68% and 43% respectively, p <0.0001), and there was a lower requirement of NIMV / IMV (Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation/Invasive Mechanical Ventilation) than in the rest of Latin America and the world (10.5% vs 31% vs 13%, p <0.0001).

Hospitalization was lower in Argentina than in the rest of Latin America (37.4% vs 61% p 0.0002) and of the world (37.4% vs 45% p 0.0123), and mortality was numerically lower in Argentina, but without statistically significant differences between the three groups (6.9%, 12% and 11%; p 0.6311). Most of the patients, (86.9%) did not present any complications in Argentina, with a statistically significant difference with the rest of the groups (62% and 77%, p <0.0001) (Graph 1).

Conclusion:

The patients with rheumatic diseases and SARS-CoV-2 infection reported in this argentinian registry received less specific pharmacological treatment for COVID-19, presented fewer complications and required less ventilatory support, than those reported in the Latinoamerican and Global registry. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in terms of mortality.

Graph 1.

Main outcomes and evolution of patients with rheumatic disease and COVID-19.

References:

[1]Stokes, Erin K, Zambrano, Laura D, Anderson, Kayla N, et al. Coronavirus Disease 2019 Case Surveillance - United States, January 22-May 30, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep; 69(24): 759-765, 2020 Jun 19.

[2]Mehta P, McAuley DF, Brown M, et al. COVID-19: consider cytokine storm síndromes and immunosuppression. Lancet 2020;395:1033–4.

[3]Gianfrancesco M, et al. Characteristics associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in people with rheumatic disease: data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:859–866.

[4]Manuel F. Ugarte-Gil, et al. Characteristics associated with Covid-19 in patients with Rheumatic Disease in Latin America. Global Rheumatology. Septiembre 2020.

Disclosure of Interests:

Alvaro Andres Reyes Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Gelsomina Alle Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Romina Tanten Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Marina Scolnik Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Enrique Soriano Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Guillermo Berbotto Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Maria Haye Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, María Julieta Gamba Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Romina Nieto Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Mercedes García Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Veronica Savio Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Luciana Gonzalez Lucero Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Paula Alba Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Lorena Takashima Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, FABIAN RISUEÑO Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Luciana CASALLA Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Natalia Cucchiaro Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Ana Bertoli Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Sabrina POrta Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Carla Maldini Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Rosana Gallo Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Cecilia Goizueta Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Eugenia Picco Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Rosana Quintana Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Karen Roberts Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Carolina Ayelen Isnardi Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”, Guillermo Pons-Estel Grant/research support from: “Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.”

POS1186 EFFECT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND EDUCATIONAL LEVEL ON COVID-19 OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES FROM ARGENTINA: DATA FROM THE SAR-COVID REGISTRY

Background:

SARS-CoV-2 infection can present with a broad clinical spectrum, from asymptomatic to lethal. Different risk factors have been recognized. Socio-economic status and educational level may affect access to the healthcare system and therefore COVID-19 infection outcome.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the association between socio-demographic status and educational level and SARS-CoV-2 outcomes, such as hospitalization, ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation and death, in Argentinean patients with rheumatic diseases from the SAR-COVID Registry.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study of consecutive adult patients with rheumatic diseases and SARS-CoV-2 infection included in the multicentric Argentinean SAR-COVID Registry. The following variables were included: gender, ethnicity, age, health insurance, educational level (under or over 12 years of education), socio-economic level according to Graffar Scale in high, medium-high, medium, medium-low, low; underlying rheumatic disease, its duration and treatment at the time of infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes were: hospitalization, admission to ICU, mechanical ventilation requirement and death.

Statistical analysis was performed using Chi2, Fisher, T-test, ANOVA.

Results:

Five hundred and twenty-five patients were included, 422 (80.4%) were female, with a mean age of 51.3 years (SD 15.2). Most of them were caucasians (48%) or mestizos (43%) and 96.8% lived in an urban environment. Almost half of the patients (47%) were categorized as middle-class, 24% middle-high or high class, 21% middle-low or low. 48.4% of the patients were employed. Regarding educational level, 54% had more than 12 years of education.

The most prevalent rheumatic disease was Rheumatoid Arthritis (40.4%), followed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (14.9%), Sjögren (5.5%) and Psoriatic Arthritis (5.5%). Treatments used at the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection were corticosteroids (19%), cs-DMARDs (49%), and b- and ts-DMARDs (16%).

Overall hospitalization frequency was 35%, median hospital stay was 10 days (IQR 10 days), 11.6% were admitted to the ICU, 10% required mechanical ventilation and the global mortality was 8%.

Notably, patients with less than 12 years of education required mechanical ventilation more frequently than the more educated ones (11.9% vs. 5.6%, p=0.026) and showed a higher mortality due to COVID-19 (9% vs. 2.8%, p=0.0004).

Patients categorized as upper social classes (middle-high and high) were admitted to the hospital on a more frequent basis (74.4% of cases), when compared with middle class (64.4%) and middle-low and low class (58%) (p=0.77). Median duration of hospitalization for the aforementioned groups was 12.5 (IQR 17.3), 10 (IQR 9) and 10.5 (IQR 9.3) days respectively (p=0.60).

Patients with health insurance were found to be hospitalized more frequently in comparison to those without insurance (42.4% vs. 33.7%, p=0.14), but showed similar admission rates to the ICU (11.8% vs. 12.8%; p=0.78), need for mechanical ventilation (10.7% vs. 8.7%; p=0.70) and mortality (7.1% vs. 6.5%; p=0.99).

Caucasian patients had fewer hospital admissions when compared against other ethnicities (mestizos mostly) (26.1% vs. 43.4%; p<0.0001), but showed no statistically significant difference in need for mechanical ventilation 10.3% vs. 9.9% (p=0.99) or mortality 8.7% vs. 5.1% (p=0.15).

Conclusion:

Patients with lower educational level needed twice the frequency of mechanical ventilation, and showed thrice the mortality than those with more than 12 years of education.

Albeit patients in upper social stratus and those with health insurance were admitted to the hospital in a more frequent manner, no statistically significant differences were found regarding the need for ICU, mechanical ventilation or mortality.

Caucasians were hospitalized less frequently than mestizos, but had no significant differences in the other measured outcomes.

Disclosure of Interests:

Laura Sorrentino Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Jonathan Rebak Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Federico Maldonado Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Vanessa Viviana Castro Coello Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Alejandro Brigante Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Adriana Hamaui Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Diana Dubinsky Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Roberto Baez Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Cecilia Pisoni Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Carla Gobbi Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Leandro Carlevaris Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Romina Tanten Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Adriana Karina Cogo Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Maria DeLaVega Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Rodolfo Perez Alamino Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Maria Alicia Lazaro Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Mariana Pera Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Susana Isabel Pineda Vidal Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Maria Elena Calvo Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Debora Guaglianone Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Carla G Alonso Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Mara Guinsburg Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Cinthya Retamozo Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Carolina Aeschlimann Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Rosana Quintana Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Karen Roberts Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Carolina Ayelen Isnardi Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Guillermo Pons Estel Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.

AB0342 OBSTETRIC AND THROMBOTIC ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME: ARE THEY DIFFERENT ENTITIES?

Background:

Several studies showed two main clinical phenotypes of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): thrombotic (TAPS) and obstetric APS (OAPS). Although they have the same autoantibody profile, one of them developed thrombosis and other one obstetric morbidity.

Objectives:

To study clinical, demographic and antibody profile in patients with TAPS and OAPS.

Methods:

we retrospectively evaluated TAPS and OAPS patients who were included in Argentine Antiphospholipid antibodies registry. We studied clinical, demographic and antibody profile in both groups.

Results:

238 patients were included in the registry. 201 (84.81%) of them were female. 122 (60.69 %) of them fullfilled APS Sydney classification criteria, 47 (38.52%) TAPS and 52 (42.62%) OAPS. 23 (18.85%) patients had both thrombotic and obstetric events so they were excluded in this analysis.

Arterial Hypertension (HBP) and Hyperlipidemia were more frequent in TAPS versus OAPS. Older age was found in TAPS as well as in association with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There was no difference in antibody profile between the 2 groups, and the Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (aGAPSS) was higher in TAPS than OAPS.

18 (38.3%) of TAPS patients had at least 1 pregnancy. Mean number of pregnancies of TAPS was 2.5 (1.10) and 3.84 (1.86) in OAPS. Thrombotic events were not found in TAPS during pregnancy and puerperium. HBP and gestational diabetes (GD) and other pregnancy related comorbidities were found in TAPS.

OAPS (n=52)TAPS (n=47)POAPS(n=52)TAPS(n=18)SLE, n (%)11 (21.2)28 (59.6)0.0002N% (DE)N % (DE)aGAPSS, mean (RIQ)4 (5)8 (5)<0.0001Abortions (<10 weeks)3338.4 (36.2)826.5 (35.3)Age, mean (DE)39.3 (6.24)43.1 (13.5)<0.0001Live Birth3633.5 (28.1)1672.2 (34.7)HBP, n (%)5 (9.6)15 (31.9)0.0121 >37 weeks2116.4 (2.38)1661.1 (31.7)Hyperlipidemia, n (%)4 (7.7)12(25.5)0.0267Prematurity <37 >34 weeks118.76 (1.97)0-GD, n (%)3(5.8)2(4.3)0.9999Prematurity <34 weeks96.37 (1.49)11.39 (5.89)Obesity, n (%)8 (15.4)4 (8.5)0.2912Pre eclampsia >34-<37 weeks10.490 (0.0350)24.63 (0.138)Smoking, n (%)11 (21.1)13 (27.6)0.4019Placental Hematoma31.86 (8.18)12.78 (11.8)Sedentary lifestyle, n (%)16 (30.8)17 (36.2)0.8486Abruptio Placentae21.96 (9.80)24.17 (12.9)Triple Positivity59.648.50.8323 Normal delivery2017.8 (27.9)1447.7 (33.9)Double Positivity11.936.4Cesarean section2217.2 (21.6)211.1 (32.3)Simple Positivity2938.51940.4Urgent Cesarean section139.80 (20.3)412.5 (24.6)GD21.37 (7.49)12.78 (11.8)HBP63.46 (10.3)310.2 (26.3)

Conclusion:

Antibody profile was similar in TAPS and OAPS. However, clinical manifestations and cardiovascular risk were different. These results should be evaluated in prospective studies.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS1208 EPIDEMIOLOGY AND OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES AND SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION: DATA FROM THE ARGENTINEAN SAR-COVID REGISTRY

Background:

In the last time, many papers about SARS-CoV-2 have been published in the world. However, data from latinamerican patients is still scarce. In order to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with rheumatic diseases in our country and contribute to the global knowledge about the effect of immunosuppressive therapies in this group, the Argentine Society of Rheumatology has developed the National Registry of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases and COVID-19 (SAR-COVID).

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with rheumatic diseases, treated or not with immunomodulators and/or immunosuppressants.

Methods:

SAR-COVID is a national, multicenter, prospective and observational registry, in which patients, ≥18 years of age, with a diagnosis of a rheumatic disease who had SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR or positive serology) are consecutively included between August 13, 2020 and January 17, 2021. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, underlying rheumatic disease and treatment, clinical characteristics, complications, laboratory and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded. Hospitalization, mechanical ventilation requirements and death were assessed to evaluate COVID-19 outcome. Statistical analysis: Descriptive analysis. Chi2 or Fischer test and T test or Mann-Whitney U test or ANOVA, as appropriate. Multiple logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 525 patients were included, 80.4% were female, with a median age of 52 years (IQR 40-62). Comorbidities were reported in half of them (53.3%). The most frequent rheumatological diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (40.4%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (14.9%). At the time of the infection, most of them were in remission or in minimal/low disease activity (68.2%) and 72.9% were receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory treatment.

Symptoms were present in 96% of the patients, the most frequent being fever (56.2%), cough (46.7%) and headache (39.2%). During infection, 35.1% received some pharmacological treatment, dexamethasone (20%) the most frequently used. One third (35.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 11.6% were admitted to the ICU, 10.1% needed mechanical ventilation and 6.9% died due to COVID-19. Complications were reported in 12.4%, being acute respiratory distress syndrome the most prevalent (8.8%).

Patients over 65 years of age were more frequently hospitalized, admitted to the ICU, needed mechanical ventilation and died due to COVID-19 (50% vs 31.4%, 22% vs 9%, 16.3% vs 5.2%, 14% vs 5%, respectively; p<0.001 in all cases). Similar results were seen in patients with vasculitis (57.7% vs 33.9%, 46.2 vs 9.8%, 34.6% vs 6 %; 30.8% vs 5.6%, respectively; p< 0.001 in all cases) and those with moderate/high disease activity (55.7% vs 26.5%, 21.3 vs 7.8%, 17.2% vs 4.2 %; 17.2% vs 4.2 %, respectively; p< 0.001 in all cases). Patients with APS were more frequently admitted to the ICU (29.4% vs 11%, p= 0.037). The presence of comorbidities was associated with higher hospitalization (46% vs 22.6%, p<0.001), admission to the ICU (17.2% vs 5.9%, p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation (10.2% vs 4.6%, p= 0.028). Immunosuppressive treatment was not associated with worse outcomes.

Conclusion:

In this cohort of patients with a wide distribution of rheumatic diseases, we have found clinical characteristics similar to those reported by other international cohorts. Compared with national data, the mortality reported in these patients is higher. However, it should be noted that these are early data collected during isolation and that there may be an underreporting of asymptomatic patients or with mild symptoms who do not attend the rheumatologist.

Older patients, those with comorbidities, with vasculitis and with higher disease activity showed poor COVID-19 outcomes.

Disclosure of Interests:

Carolina Ayelen Isnardi Speakers bureau: Janssen, BMS, Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Rosana Quintana Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Karen Roberts Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Vanessa Viviana Castro Coello Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Alvaro Andres Reyes Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Yohana Tissera Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Micaela Cosatti Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Romina Rojas Tessel Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Julia Scafati Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Tatiana Barbich Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., María Soledad Gálvez Elkin Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Gustavo Fabian Rodriguez Gil Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Sebastian Moyano Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Marina Laura Werner Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Jonathan Rebak Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Julieta Morbiducci Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Victoria Martire Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., María Sol Castaño Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Carolina Dieguez Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Gisela Constanza Subils Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data., Guillermo Pons-Estel Grant/research support from: Unrestricted grants: Pfizer, Abbvie, Elea Phoenix. None of them have access to patient data.

393 What Are the Risk Factors for Anastomotic Stricture After Bile Duct Injury Repair? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the standard repair following major bile duct injury (BDI), but anastomotic stricture can result in long-term morbidity. There is a need to assimilate high-level evidence to establish risk factors for the development of anastomotic stricture after HJ for BDI.

Method

A systematic review of studies reporting the rate of anastomotic stricture after HJ for BDI was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses of proposed risk factors were then performed.

Results

Meta-analysis included five factors (n = 2,198 patients, 17 studies). Vascular injury (OR 2.71; 95%CI 1.37-5.35; p = 0.004), postoperative bile leak (OR: 8.03; 95%CI 2.04-31.71; p = 0.003), previous repair (OR: 5.36; 95%CI 1.04-27.76;p=0.05) and repair by non-specialist surgeon (OR 11.29; 95%CI 5.21-24.47; p &lt; 0.0001) were associated with HJ stricture after BDI. Strasberg injury grade was not associated with HJ stricture (OR: 1.05; 95%CI 0.63-1.75; p = 0.86). Due to heterogeneity of reporting it was not possible to perform meta-analysis for impact of timing of repair on anastomotic stricture rate.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis identifies factors that significantly increase the rate of anastomotic stricture after HJ for BDI. Knowledge of these risk factors will allow risk stratification in terms of follow-up for individual cases, better informed consent, and guidance for medico-legal cases.

3D characterisation of dry powder inhaler formulations: Developing X-ray micro computed tomography approaches

Carrier-based dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations need to be accurately characterised for their particle size distributions, surface roughnesses, fines contents and flow properties. Understanding the micro-structure of the powder formulation is crucial, yet current characterisation methods give incomplete information. Commonly used techniques like laser diffraction (LD) and optical microscopy (OM) are limited due to the assumption of sphericity and can give variable results depending on particle orientation and dispersion. The aim of this work was to develop new three dimensional (3D) powder analytical techniques using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) that could be employed for non-destructive metrology of inhaled formulations. α-lactose monohydrate powders with different characteristics have been analysed, and their size and shape (sphericity/aspect ratio) distributions compared with results from LD and OM. The three techniques were shown to produce comparable size distributions, while the different shape distributions from XCT and OM highlight the difference between 2D and 3D imaging. The effect of micro-structure on flowability was also analysed through 3D measurements of void volume and tap density. This study has demonstrated for the first time that XCT provides an invaluable, non-destructive and analytical approach to obtain number- and volume-based particle size distributions of DPI formulations in 3D space, and for unique 3D characterisation of powder micro-structure.

Understanding pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and replacement therapy in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is highly prevalent in patients with pancreatic cancer, and has substantial implications for quality of life and survival. Post resection, PEI is associated with increased post-operative complications, longer hospital stays and higher costs. Treatment with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) improves quality of life and confers significant survival advantages. Despite this many patients with pancreatic cancer do not currently receive PERT. The nutritional consequences of PEI are extensive and even more relevant in the elderly owing to age related gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic changes that predispose to malnutrition.

Radiotherapy Quality Assurance for the CHHiP Trial: Conventional Versus Hypofractionated High-Dose Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer

AIMS

The CHHiP trial investigated the use of moderate hypofractionation for the treatment of localised prostate cancer using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). A radiotherapy quality assurance programme was developed to assess compliance with treatment protocol and to audit treatment planning and dosimetry of IMRT. This paper considers the outcome and effectiveness of the programme.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quality assurance exercises included a pre-trial process document and planning benchmark cases, prospective case reviews and a dosimetry site visit on-trial and a post-trial feedback questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 41 centres completed the quality assurance programme (37 UK, four international) between 2005 and 2010. Centres used either forward-planned (field-in-field single phase) or inverse-planned IMRT (25 versus 17). For pre-trial quality assurance exercises, 7/41 (17%) centres had minor deviations in their radiotherapy processes; 45/82 (55%) benchmark plans had minor variations and 17/82 (21%) had major variations. One hundred prospective case reviews were completed for 38 centres. Seventy-one per cent required changes to clinical outlining pre-treatment (primarily prostate apex and base, seminal vesicles and penile bulb). Errors in treatment planning were reduced relative to pre-trial quality assurance results (49% minor and 6% major variations). Dosimetry audits were conducted for 32 centres. Ion chamber dose point measurements were within ±2.5% in the planning target volume and ±8% in the rectum. 28/36 films for combined fields passed gamma criterion 3%/3 mm and 11/15 of IMRT fluence film sets passed gamma criterion 4%/4 mm using a 98% tolerance. Post-trial feedback showed that trial participation was beneficial in evolving clinical practice and that the quality assurance programme helped some centres to implement and audit prostate IMRT.

CONCLUSION

Overall, quality assurance results were satisfactory and the CHHiP quality assurance programme contributed to the success of the trial by auditing radiotherapy treatment planning and protocol compliance. Quality assurance supported the introduction of IMRT in UK centres, giving additional confidence and external review of IMRT where it was a newly adopted technique.