Abstract: P966
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Respiratory infections are a serious problem for patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) because they are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of community-acquired pneumonia and having invasive pneumonia when hospitalized is 3 times higher than general population. Age, smoking, severe disability and the use of immunosuppressive medication are factors that increase the risk of infections. By the above, PwMS would potentially benefit with immunization. There is evidence of the adequate immune response and safety with pneumococcal and influenza vaccines in PwMS.
Objectives: to determine the percentage of coverage for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in PwMS and compared with related healthy controls.
Methods: An online survey was conducted to PwMS and and their relatives or friends, residents of Argentina. Questions were asked about health and demographic data including vaccination. The data were analyzed using the Z test, chi-square test or Fisher´s exact test.
Results: 220 patients with MS and 62 healthy control (HC). Regarding the PwMS 76.4% were women, with a mean of 41.9 years (SD: 10.5), 72,7% relapsing remitting MS, median of years of evolution: 7 (0-35). There were no significant differences respect to age and sex with the HC. 71.4% of PwMS did not receive any of the two vaccines, 27.3% only received influenza vaccination, 11.4% only received pneumococcal vaccination and 10% both of them. There were no significant differences (p> 0.05) with the percentages of vaccination in the healthy ones (none: 79%, only influenza vaccination: 19.4%, only pneumococcal vaccination: 6.4%, both of them: 4.8%). Among the unvaccinated patients with MS, 80.2% were undergoing disease-modifying treatment, 31.2% smoked or give up smoking less than 1 year ago, 22.3% they were 50 years old or older, and 10.8% had severe disability (Patient Disease Severity Score of 6 or more).
Conclusions: We consider that the coverage of our cohort of PwMS against pneumococcus and influenza is low, even in risk groups (use of treatment, age over 50 years, smokers, and with high disability). It is necessary to develop consensus policies on the need for immunization for this population.
Disclosure: Javier Hryb: nothing to disclose. Edson Chiganer: nothing to disclose. José Luis Di Pace: nothing to disclose. Carmen Lessa: nothing to disclose. Mónica Perassolo: nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P966
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Respiratory infections are a serious problem for patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) because they are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of community-acquired pneumonia and having invasive pneumonia when hospitalized is 3 times higher than general population. Age, smoking, severe disability and the use of immunosuppressive medication are factors that increase the risk of infections. By the above, PwMS would potentially benefit with immunization. There is evidence of the adequate immune response and safety with pneumococcal and influenza vaccines in PwMS.
Objectives: to determine the percentage of coverage for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines in PwMS and compared with related healthy controls.
Methods: An online survey was conducted to PwMS and and their relatives or friends, residents of Argentina. Questions were asked about health and demographic data including vaccination. The data were analyzed using the Z test, chi-square test or Fisher´s exact test.
Results: 220 patients with MS and 62 healthy control (HC). Regarding the PwMS 76.4% were women, with a mean of 41.9 years (SD: 10.5), 72,7% relapsing remitting MS, median of years of evolution: 7 (0-35). There were no significant differences respect to age and sex with the HC. 71.4% of PwMS did not receive any of the two vaccines, 27.3% only received influenza vaccination, 11.4% only received pneumococcal vaccination and 10% both of them. There were no significant differences (p> 0.05) with the percentages of vaccination in the healthy ones (none: 79%, only influenza vaccination: 19.4%, only pneumococcal vaccination: 6.4%, both of them: 4.8%). Among the unvaccinated patients with MS, 80.2% were undergoing disease-modifying treatment, 31.2% smoked or give up smoking less than 1 year ago, 22.3% they were 50 years old or older, and 10.8% had severe disability (Patient Disease Severity Score of 6 or more).
Conclusions: We consider that the coverage of our cohort of PwMS against pneumococcus and influenza is low, even in risk groups (use of treatment, age over 50 years, smokers, and with high disability). It is necessary to develop consensus policies on the need for immunization for this population.
Disclosure: Javier Hryb: nothing to disclose. Edson Chiganer: nothing to disclose. José Luis Di Pace: nothing to disclose. Carmen Lessa: nothing to disclose. Mónica Perassolo: nothing to disclose.