Abstract Details

Title Immunosuppression Status Did Not Affect COVID-19 Incidence in a Retrospective Survey of Myasthenia Gravis Patients

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P13 - Poster Session 13 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-005

Objective To evaluate the impact of immunosuppression and other factors on incidence of COVID-19 infection among myasthenia gravis patients.

Background Myasthenia gravis patients are often treated with immunosuppressive agents and therefore may have higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection and more disease severity. Other MG-associated factors, such as bulbar weakness, have also been suggested as a predisposing risk for COVID-19 infection.

Design/Methods From February to November 2022 we gathered responses from MG patients using an IRB-approved survey. We collected data regarding MG including duration of MG diagnosis, symptomatic weakness, and immunotherapeutic agent. Additional factors included age, gender, vaccination status and finally history of COVID-19 infection.

Results We surveyed 46 MG patients (median age 62 y; males 50%), 16 (34%) of which were confirmed to have COVID-19 infection. Using logistic regression models, immunosuppression was not associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Other variables surveyed, including symptomatic weakness and duration of MG, also were not associated with increased COVID-19 risk.

Conclusions The risk of contracting COVID-19 does not appear to increase for MG patients on immunosuppressive therapy in our study. Possible study limitations include small study size, however. Many study participants had also been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 infection, and there is no accounting for possible social distancing/protective behaviors undertaken.

Authors/Disclosures
Amanda Breaux, MD (UTHealth Neurology) PRESENTER	Dr. Breaux has nothing to disclose.
Deepa Dongarwar (McGovern Medical School)	Deepa Dongarwar has nothing to disclose.
Aziz I. Shaibani, MD, FAAN (Houston Neurocare, PA)	Dr. Shaibani has nothing to disclose.
Thy Nguyen, MD (University of Texas Health Science Center)	Dr. Nguyen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for ArgenX. Dr. Nguyen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. Dr. Nguyen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion. Dr. Nguyen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Takeda. Dr. Nguyen has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.

��ɫ��

��ɫ��