P112 Impact of the SARS-COV2 pandemic on patients with inflammatory bowel disease - Preliminary results of a prospective, single-center study

Martins Figueiredo, L; Correia, F; Rafael, M A; Lourenço, L; Oliveira, A M; Branco, J C; Santos, L; Martins, A

BACKGROUND: The real impact of COVID-19 infection on patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is unknown. It was speculated that this population could be a risk group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of SARS-CoV2 infection, the impact of initiation/change of IBD therapy and its morbidity and mortality, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study. Patients with IBD followed at a Gastroenterology Department in an area with a high incidence rate of SARS-CoV2 were included, from 01/03/2020 to 31/08/2020. Data was obtained through telephonic appointments, hospital inpatients admissions, Emergency Department Service and Day Hospital episodes. RESULTS: 335 patients were included, 194 female, with a mean age of 47.4 years (18–88). 200 had Crohn’s disease (CD), 132 Ulcerative Colitis, 3 unclassified colitis. 320 were on therapy (95.5%): salicylates n=230 (71.9%), systemic corticosteroids n=34 (10.6%) (18 started during the pandemic), thiopurines/methotrexate n=117 (36.6%) (8 started in this period), biological n=148 (46.3%) (14 started in this period). 7 patients (2.2%) triple immunosuppressed. 75 patients had disease in remission, 232 mild/moderate, 28 severe disease (requiring hospitalization). SARS-CoV2 infection was observed in 3 patients (incidence rate: 0.89%), treated as an outpatient basis. 2 male, mean age 58 years, 2 with CD. Comorbidities: 0: n = 1; 2: n = 1; 4: n = 1. 2 patients were on salicylates and one on adalimumab (monotherapy, before the pandemic). There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: All patients started or maintained their IBD therapy according to current international guidelines. A significantly higher incidence of COVID-19 infection than that of the local and Portuguese population in general has not been documented. According to our preliminary results, the population with IBD does not appear to be a risk group for acquiring infection or having a severe course of the disease.