POS0831 EARLY INFECTIOUS RISK IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY-DIAGNOSED ANTI-NEUTROPHILCYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODY-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS ACCORDING TO THE REMISSION-INDUCTIONTHERAPY: A FRENCH MONOCENTRIC RETROSPECTIVE STUDY INCLUDING 145 PATIENTS

Abstract

Background:Few comparative data exist on early infections secondary to remission-induction therapy (RIT) with rituximab versus cyclophosphamide in newly-diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients.Objectives:We compared and analyzed the rate and predictors of severe infections in such patients within the first six months following RIT.Methods:We included, from the databases of Caen University Hospital, all consecutive adults newly-diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis between January 2006 and December 2019. We compared the survival without severe infections (WSI) and the survival without infection of any severity (WIOAS) within 6 months from the RIT, and used a multivariate cox analysis to identify predictors of infection.Results:We included 145 patients, 27 in rituximab group and 118 in cyclophosphamide group. Patients in the rituximab group more frequently had pneumococcal vaccination (p<0.01) and creatinine level <150 µmol/L, while other characteristics, including Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, were comparable between both groups.Overall, 37 severe infections and 65 infections of any severity were recorded. The survival WSI was similar in both groups (p=0.69), but survival WIOAS was lower in rituximab group (p=0.005).In multivariate analysis, risk factors at diagnosis for severe infections were chronic urinary tract disease, dialysis and absence of prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (p<0.01 each).Conclusion:The survival WIS within the 6 months following RIT was similar in patients with newly-diagnosed AAV treated by rituximab or cyclophosphamide, but survival WIOAS appeared to be lower within the 6 months following rituximab despite a better pneumococcal vaccination coverage.Figure 1.Comparison of the 6-month survival without severe infection (A) or without infection of any severity (B) in patients with newly-diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis treated by rituximab or cyclophosphamideDisclosure of Interests:None declared