Effect of COVID19 pandemia in Argentinian Fabry and Gaucher patients

ROZENFELD PA; KISINOVSKY I

Simposio; Lysosomal Disease Network-16th Annual WORLD Symposium; 2022

SARSCOV2 pandemic affects access to health of patients, mainly in chronic disorders. Argentina is pioneer in instauration of home infusion program for treatment by enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry and Gaucher patients. This program is led by Dr Kisinovsky since 2003. Most Argentinian patients receive their treatment at home every 14 days, wherever they live in a huge country of a surface of almost 3 million km2. The aim of this work is to report adherence to treatment in 2 pandemic periods: I: march- December 2020 and II: January- August 2021, and compare to prepandemic data. Moreover, to report number of COVID infections among patients, nurses and physicians. Fabry patients on agalsidase alfa: In period I 2523 infusions have been realized but 461 not, an adherence of 84.55%. In period II, there were 1991 infusions and 465 were lost (81.06%). Prepandemic adherence was 86.42%. Seventeen patients (11.18%) got COVID19, only one required hospitalisation and passed away. Of note, her health status was delicate before pandemic. Among 33 nurses that carried out those infusions, 9 acquired COVID19, and 4 of them required hospitalization. 37 physicians attended those patients, and 13,51% got infected and recovered after severe disease. Gaucher patients on velaglucerase alfa: In period I 637 infusions have been realized but 83 not, representing an adherence of 88.47%. In period II, there were 485 infusions realized and 73 were lost, representing a adherence of (86.91%). Prepandemic adherence was 91.22%. Seven patients (21.21%) got mild COVID19 and in home care. Among 14 nurses, 2 acquired mild COVID19. 18 physicians attended those patients, and none got infected. It is remarkable adherence of treatment has not changed in pandemic, reinforcing the advantage of Argentine home infusion programme. Moreover, most but one of Fabry and Gaucher patients that got SARSCOV2 infection presented mild disease.