Browsing by Author "Garcea, Orlando"

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    COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in Latin America COVID-19 in MS and NMOSD patients in LATAM
    (2021) Alonso, Ricardo; Silva, Berenice; Garcea, Orlando; Correa Diaz, Patricio E.; dos Passos, Giordani Rodrigues; Ramirez Navarro, Deyanira A.; Garcia Valle, Luis A.; Rodriguez Salinas, Luis C.; Negrotto, Laura; Luetic, Geraldine; Tkachuk, Veronica A.; Miguez, Jimena; Diaz de Bedoya, Fernando Hamuy; Goiry, Lorna Galleguillos; Ramirez Sanchez, Nicia E.; Burgos, Marcos; Steinberg, Judith; Balbuena, Maria E.; Monterrey Alvarez, Priscilla; Lopez, Pablo A.; Ysrraelit, Maria C.; Leon, Rosalba A.; Cohen, Aron Benzadon; Gracia, Fernando; Molina, Omaira; Casas, Magdalena; Deri, Norma H.; Pappolla, Agustin; Patrucco, Liliana; Cristiano, Edgardo; Tavolini, Dario; Nadur, Debora; Granda, Ana M. Toral; Weiser, Roberto; Cassara, Fatima Pagani; Sinay, Vladimiro; Carcamo Rodriguez, Claudia; Lazaro, Luciana G.; Menichini, Maria L.; Piedrabuena, Raul; Orozco Escobar, Geraldine; Carra, Adriana; Chertcoff, Anibal; Santos Pujols, Biany; Vrech, Carlos; Tarulla, Adriana; Carvajal, Rene; Mainella, Carolina; Becker, Jefferson; Peeters, Liesbet M.; Walton, Clare; Alonso Serena, Marina; Nunez, Sebastian; Rojas, Juan, I
    Background: There is no data regarding COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients in Latin America. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients included in RELACOEM, a LATAM registry of MS and NMOSD patients infected with COVID-19. Methods: RELACOEM is a longitudinal, strictly observational registry of MS and NMOSD patients who suffer COVID-19 and Dengue in LATAM. Inclusion criteria to the registry were either: (1) a biologically confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis based on a positive result of a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on a naso-pharyngeal swab; or (2) COVID-19-typical symptoms (triad of cough, fever, and asthenia) in an epidemic zone of COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic and clinical variables. The cohort was later stratified for MS and NMOSD and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with hospitalizations/intensive critical units (ICU) admission. Results: 145 patients were included in the registry from 15 countries and 51 treating physicians. A total of 129 (89%) were MS patients and 16 (11%) NMOSD. 81.4% patients had confirmed COVID-19 and 18.6% were suspected cases. 23 (15.8%) patients were hospitalized, 9 (6.2%) required ICU and 5 (3.4 %) died due to COVID-19. In MS patients, greater age (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.25) and disease duration (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.14-1.69) were associated with hospitalization/ICU. In NMOSD patients, a greater age (54.3 vs. 36 years, p=<0.001), increased EDSS (5.5 vs 2.9, p=0.0012) and disease duration (18.5 vs. 10.3 years, p=0.001) were significantly associated with hospitalization/ICU. Conclusion: we found that in MS patients, age and disease duration was associated with hospitalization and ICU admission requirement, while age, disease duration and EDSS was associated in NMOSD.
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    Research priorities in multiple sclerosis in Latin America: A multi-stakeholder call to action to improve patients care Research priorities in MS in LATAM
    (2021) Rojas, Juan, I; Carnero Contentti, Edgar; Abad, Patricio; Aguayo, Adriana; Alonso, Ricardo; Bauer, Johana; Becker, Jefferson; Bustos, Andrea K.; Carcamo, Claudia A.; Carra, Adriana; Correa Diaz, Edgard P.; Correale, Jorge; Cristiano, Edgardo; Diaz, Alejandro J.; Fernandez Liguori, Nora; Flores, Jose; Fruns, Manuel; Garcea, Orlando; Giachello, Susana M.; Godoy, Melisa D.; Gracia, Fernando; Hamuy, Victor F.; Henestroza, Paula R.; Navarra, Javier A.; Navas, Carlos; Patrucco, Liliana; Perez Bruno, Magdalena; Prato, Andrea S.; Rivera, Victor M.; Rosa Martinez, Alma R.; Vanotti, Sandra; Vazquez, Macarena; Vizcarra, Darwin; Ysrraelit, Maria C.; Alonso Serena, Marina
    As human and economic resources are limited, especially in Latin America (LATAM), it is important to identify research priorities to improve multiple sclerosis (MS) patients care in the region. The objective was to generate a multidisciplinary consensus on research priorities in MS for patients care in LATAM by involving healthcare professionals and MS patient associations. Methods: consensus was reached through a four-step modified Delphi method designed to identify and rate research priorities in MS in LATAM. The process consisted of two qualitative assessments, a general ranking phase and a consensus meeting followed by a more detailed ranking phase Results: a total of 62 participants (35 neurologists, 4 nurses, 12 kinesiologists, 7 neuropsychologists and 4 patient association members) developed the process. At the final ranking stage following the consensus meeting, each participant provided their final rankings, and the top priority research questions were outlined. 11 research priorities were identified focusing on healthcare access, costs of the disease, physical and cognitive evaluation and rehabilitation, quality of life, symptoms management, prognostic factors, the need of MS care units and patient's management in emergencies like COVID-19. Conclusion: this work establishes MS research priorities in LATAM from multiple perspectives. To pursue the actions suggested could launch the drive to obtain information that will help us to better understand the disease in our region and, especially, to better care for affected patients.