Late Breaking Abstract - IMPACT OF CONFINEMENT ON ALS PATIENTS DUE TO THE SARS-CoV-2 PANDEMIC

Introduction: The covid-19 pandemic has forced the confinement of one third of the world's population, which could have a special impact on ALS patients Objective:To analyze the impact that the quarantine decreed by the Spanish government during the covid-19 pandemic may have had on ALS patients in relation to their clinical, functional and emotional situation Methods: Observational, prospective study 16th March-10th May 2020 of a cohort of ALS patients being followed in a multidisciplinary consultation Were collected: ALSFRS-R score at start and end of the confinement, continuity of: physiotherapy, contracted care, home care by a company providing respiratory therapy;need for prescription of new therapy,symptoms of stress, covid-19 patient or cohabitants, hospital admission, perception of reduced accessibility to health care Statistical analysis was performed with T student for related samples Results:53 patients were included(56 6% male,79 2% sporadic ALS,75 5% spinal ALS, mean age 56 92 years+/-12 98, mean ALSFRS-R(start)26 06+/-12 92, ALSFRS-R(end)25 74+/-13 03,change score:0 32 95%CI(0 054-0 585) p:0 000 34% of patients did not continue with physiotherapy 22 6% lost their caregiver 18 86% required prescription of new respiratory therapy, nebulized therapy the most prescribed In 20 8% the company providing respiratory therapies suspended home care 37 7% of patients presented symptoms of stress No covid case 11 3% required consultation emergency and 3 8% required hospital admission 88 7% did not perceive a decrease in accessibility to health care No deaths have been recorded Conclusions:In our study, ALS patients have been worsened by confinement in relation to their emotional and functional situation