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Abstract Details

Incidence and impact of COVID-19 in a cohort of patients with myasthenia gravis from Barcelona.
Neuromuscular and Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG)
Neuromuscular and Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG) Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)
116
To describe the incidence, clinical features and impact of COVID-19 in a cohort of adult patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).   

It is unclear if patients with MG have increased risk of developing COVID-19, and if the pandemic has increased MG exacerbations.

Cross-sectional study assessing by e-mail/telephone interview 75 MG patients followed at Hospital Clinic, Barcelona. Cases were identified from the start of the pandemic until June 18, 2020, and cumulative incidence was compared to the population estimates for Barcelona city. The frequency of MG exacerbations was compared with that of the same period of the previous year. 

Sixty nine (92%) patients participated in the study; 38 (55%) were male, median age 69 years (IQR 49-77), 54 (78%) had generalized and 15 (22%) ocular MG; 55 (80%) anti-AChR, 4 (6%) anti-MuSK and 9 (13%) were seronegative. 58 (84%) patients received immunosuppressants. Four patients had COVID-19, and the cumulative incidence was similar to that of the general population (5.8% vs 6.7%). Three (75%) were male, median age 61 years (range 26-88), all with generalized MG, 2 anti-AChR and 2 seronegative; 3 were on prednisone and 1 on azathioprine. One was a healthcare worker and 1 resident of a nursing home. Three (75%) patients required admission; all patients continued on MG therapy, and none received COVID-19 specific medications. One (25%) patient died on day 2, and the other 3 were discharged after 8-14 days. One patient had MG exacerbation 3 weeks later. Compared with MG patients without COVID-19 no differences were found on comorbidities, MG characteristics or treatments. Overall, 10 (14.5%) patients developed MG exacerbation compared with 14 (20%) of the previous year.

The incidence of COVID-19 in MG patients is similar to that of the general population. The pandemic does not seem to increase the frequency of MG exacerbations. 
Authors/Disclosures
Eugenia Martinez-Hernandez, MD (Hospital Clinic Barcelona)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Alexion. Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for UCB. The institution of Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received research support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III. The institution of Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received research support from Fundacio La Caixa. Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a support for attending meetings and speaker honoraria with UCB. Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a speaker honoraria and attending meetings with Alexion. Dr. Martinez-Hernandez has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a support for attending meetings with CSL Behring.
No disclosure on file
Maria Sepúlveda No disclosure on file
Sara Llufriu Sara Llufriu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Sara Llufriu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. Sara Llufriu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Merci. Sara Llufriu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbot. Sara Llufriu has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Sanofi.
Mar Guasp, MD (Hospital Clínic Barcelona - IDIBAPS) Dr. Guasp has nothing to disclose.
Jose Maria Cabrera Maqueda Mr. Cabrera Maqueda has nothing to disclose.
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
Francesc R. Graus, MD (IDIBAPS) Dr. Graus has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for MedLink. Dr. Graus has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Yolanda Blanco Morgado, MD Dr. Blanco Morgado has nothing to disclose.
Albert Saiz (Hospital Clinico De Barcelona) Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Horizon Therapeutics. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Merck. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Janseen. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Roche. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for novartis. Albert Saiz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen.