P053  Impact of COVID-19 in a cohort of patients with Inflammatory Intestinal Disease

P053  Impact of COVID-19 in a cohort of patients with Inflammatory Intestinal Disease

Quera Rodrigo1, Pizarro Gonzalo1, Ibáñez Patricio1, Lubascher Jaime1, Flores Lilian1, Figueroa Carolina1, Simian Daniela1, Kronberg Udo1
1 Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

BACKGROUND: There are few data on the outcome of COVID-19 in patients with IBD, none in the Chilean population. The aim of the study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with IBD who developed COVID-19, the evolution and clinical course of IBD at one month follow-up after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study. Patients with positive RT-PCR SARS-Cov-2 who were followed in the IBD Program of Clínica las Condes tertiary referral center (n = 1493), were studied by spontaneous patient consultation and/or email survey. The clinical IBD data and COVID-19 related symptoms were obtained from the medical record and follow-up telephone interviews. Statistical significance was determined (Fisher's test p <0.05). 

RESULTS: From March 1 to August 31, 2020, 32 patients were reported positive RT-PCR SARS-Cov-2, 18 (56%) ulcerative colitis and 14 (44%) Crohn’s disease. The median age was 32 years (range 18 – 69), 56% women. Seven patients had an additional comorbidities. At the time of infection, 9 patients and their co-habitants maintained quarantine, isolation and social distancing recommendations. Only one patient was clinically active at the time of infection. Ten patients (31%) were on immunomodulator /biologic maintenance treatment, of which 4 were on combination therapy. Sixty percent of patients contacted the IBD clinical team when RT-PCR SARS-Cov-2 resulted positive. The most frequent COVID-19 onset symptoms were headache (66%), myalgia (63%), and fever (50%). Four patients required hospitalization (no one in Critical Care Unit), none of them were on immunomodulator nor biologic treatment. Two patients received Azithromycin and one received steroids as treatment for COVID-19. In univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in age, diagnosis or IBD treatment in patients who required hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. Seven patients discontinued their IBD treatment during the infection (6 at the direction of the IBD Program and 1 self-discontinued therapy). Two patients had a flare of their IBD during one month post-COVID-19 follow-up. 

CONCLUSION(S): In this cohort of patients, IBD medications, including immunomodulators and biologic therapy, were not associated with a greater severity of COVID-19 infection.