Risk Factors and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Thai Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Single Center Study
Issued Date
2023-07-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01252208
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85165908987
Journal Title
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand
Volume
106
Issue
7
Start Page
728
End Page
735
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.106 No.7 (2023) , 728-735
Suggested Citation
Sukhonpanich N., Tisavipat N., Siritho S., Sirijatuphat R., Phoompoung P., Prayoonwiwat N., Rattanathamsakul N., Jitprapaikulsan J. Risk Factors and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Thai Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Single Center Study. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand Vol.106 No.7 (2023) , 728-735. 735. doi:10.35755/jmedassocthai.2023.07.13769 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/88292
Title
Risk Factors and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Thai Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Single Center Study
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Long-term immunotherapy use in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) raised concerns about the increased risk and severity of infection during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Real-world data exploring the risks and outcomes of COVID-19 in NMOSD patients are warranted. Materials and Methods: A retrospective medical chart review of NMOSD patients at a tertiary care center in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic was performed. Patients with and without COVID-19 were compared using descriptive statistics. Among infected patients, those with asymptomatic-to-mild infection and severe-to-critical infection were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses for risk factors of infection were performed. Results: Of the 175 NMOSD, 24 (13.7%) patients had COVID-19. The risk factors for COVID-19 were type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (OR 14.72, 95% CI 3.17 to 68.43), rituximab use (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.29 to 9.19), and younger age during the pandemic (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.99). Four patients (16.7%) had a severe-to-critical disease, leading to one death. The more severe patients more commonly had comorbid T2DM, hypertension, and lymphopenia. Conclusion: NMOSD patients in Thailand had a higher infection rate than the general Thai population. In addition to the general risk factors of COVID-19, such as T2DM, NMOSD patients had an increased risk of infection from rituximab use.