Outcomes of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Patients with Anca Associated Vasculitis. Data from the National Sar-Covid Registry

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARSCoV-2 infection in patients with systemic vasculitis. Method(s): Observational, multicenter, cross-sectional analytical study in patients 18 or older diagnosed with systemic vasculitis with confirmed SARSCoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or serology) included in the SAR-COVID registry. Patients were evaluated from July 2020 to February 2022. Patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), other systemic vasculitides (Giant cell arteritis, Takayasu), and a control group of patients with other rheumatological diseases matched by age, sex, comorbidities, and date of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The survival curve of the groups was studied by Kaplan-Meier and compared through the Log-Rank Test. A Cox regression model will be performed to adjust survival for different variables (sex, age, treatments for underlying disease, treatments for viral infection, smoking, obesity, d-dimer level, and disease activity). Result(s): A total of 282 out of 2694 patients in the SAR-COVID registry were included, 57.4%women with a mean age of 55.7 years (SD 14.1). Fifty-four patients in the AAV group, 32 in the other vasculitis group, and 196 controls were studied. Hospitalization was required in 53.7% of the AAV group, 37.5% in other vasculitides, and 26.2% in the control group. 5.6% of patients in the control group presented acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 15.6% in the other vasculitis group, and 22.2% in the AAV group (p alpha 0.001). Complete recovery was observed in 82.3% of patients in the control group, 75%in the other vasculitis group, and 63%in the AAV group.We observed that 5.7% of the patients in the control group died from COVID-19, 9.4%from other vasculitides, and 27.8% in the AAV group (p alpha 0.001). We found a lower survival in the AAV group compared to the control group (p alpha 0.005). In the multivariate Cox regression model, older age (HR:1.05 IC95%1.01-1.09 p = 0.01), BMI > 40 (HR:13.2 IC95% 2.1-83.2 p = 0.01), and high activity of the underlying disease (HR:16 95% CI 3.7-69.4 p alpha 0.005) were associated with lower survival. Conclusion(s): In conclusion, patients diagnosed with AAV presented a worse disease course during SARS-CoV-2 infection with a more frequent requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation. Likewise, these patients showed lower survival compared to patients with other autoimmune diseases.

Atypical Cells on Transbronchial Biopsies of Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: How Should We Interpret the Result?

SESSION TITLE: Lung Nodule Biopsy: Yield and Accuracy SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/16/2022 10:30 am - 11:30 am PURPOSE: Atypia is common on biopsy specimens of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) and may result from inflammation or inadequate sampling of a malignancy. The significance of atypical cells on PPLs biopsies has not been well described. In addition, recent studies of navigational bronchoscopy have variably considered atypia on biopsies as diagnostic. METHOD(S): We analyzed a prospective database of consecutive PPLs sampled via navigational bronchoscopy at our institution (IRB: 212187). Search terms "atypia" and "atypical" were applied to pathology reports generated by these procedures. Manual inspection ensured atypia was present in the PPL itself. Definitive PPL diagnosis was established during a two-year routine clinical follow-up. Bronchoscopy diagnostic yield was defined as histopathological findings which readily explained a nodule (malignancy, organizing pneumonia, frank purulence, granulomatous inflammation) and permitted management of the patient without an immediate additional diagnostic intervention. Atypia was considered nonspecific and, therefore, nondiagnostic. RESULT(S): From 11/2017 to 4/2019, 461 biopsied PPLs were identified. Eleven cases, none exhibited atypia, lacked complete two-year follow-up, and were excluded. Ultimately, 274 of 450 (61%) analyzed PPLs were malignant. Diagnostic biopsies were obtained in 331 (73.5%) cases. Atypical cells were present in 33 PPLs (7% of overall cohort, 28% of the 119 nondiagnostic cases). Two-thirds (22 of 33) were eventually determined to be malignant. Lung adenocarcinoma was the most common ultimate malignant diagnosis (10 cases). Most benign PPLs with atypia regressed on follow-up imaging without further pathological data (5 cases). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of atypia for an eventual diagnosis of malignancy among the 223 PPLs not diagnosed as malignant at index bronchoscopy were 46% (95% CI 31-61%), 94% (89-97%), 92% (85-96%), and 53% (46-60%), respectively, with positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of 7.3 (3.8-14). CONCLUSION(S): The presence of atypical cells was a common finding, found in 28% of PPLs without a specific diagnosis after bronchoscopy. Two-thirds of PPLs with atypia were ultimately malignant, with a high PPV (92%) for malignant diagnosis in this cohort with an overall prevalence of malignancy of 61%. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Atypia not diagnostic of malignancy in bronchoscopic biopsy specimens is a nonspecific finding, which may be due to inadequate sampling of a malignant PPL or inflammation. However, the high PPV and +LR of atypia for ultimate malignant PPL diagnosis suggest that in populations with a similar prevalence of malignancy and/or in the clinical context of a high pre-test probability of malignancy, atypical findings might prompt repeat biopsy or definitive PPL management (resection or ablation). DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Robert Lentz No relevant relationships by Kaele Leonard No relevant relationships by See-Wei Low PI ofan investigator-initiated study relationship with Medtronic Please note: >$100000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support PI on investigator-initiated relationship with Erbe Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Consulting relationship with Medtronic Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Honoraria co-I industry-sponsored trial relationship with Lung Therapeutics Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Board of director member relationship with AABIP Please note: $1-$1000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Travel Consultant relationship with Medtronic/Covidien Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Otis Rickman, value=Consulting fee No relevant relationships by Briana Swanner Copyright © 2022 American College of Chest Physicians

Diagnostic Yield Vs Diagnostic Accuracy for Lung Nodule Biopsy Evaluation: Evidence Supporting a Pragmatic End Point for Future Studies

SESSION TITLE: Lung Nodule Biopsy: Yield and Accuracy SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/16/2022 10:30 am - 11:30 am PURPOSE: A variety of endpoints have been used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of navigational bronchoscopy for sampling peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), including diagnostic yield (rate of biopsies with a specific diagnosis that facilitates clinical decisions) and diagnostic accuracy (yield plus a follow-up to assess for false negative/positive initial results). There is also significant variation in what non-malignant findings are considered diagnostic, especially regarding nonspecific inflammatory changes. We hypothesized a diagnostic yield definition excluding nonspecific findings as diagnostic would lead to few false negative PPL biopsies. METHOD(S): Our center maintains a prospective cohort of consecutive PPLs targeted via navigational bronchoscopy. Diagnostic yield was defined as specific findings readily explaining the presence of a PPL (malignancy, organizing pneumonia, granulomatous inflammation, frank purulence, other specific finding) permitting management without immediate additional diagnostic intervention. "Other specific finding" required pulmonologist and lung pathologist agreement. All other findings were considered non-diagnostic. RESULT(S): A total of 450 PPLs biopsied 2017-2019 with complete two-year follow-up were included in the analysis. Ultimately, 274 of 450 (60.9%) PPLs were determined to be malignant. Diagnostic biopsies were obtained in 331 cases (73.6%). There was a single false-positive among 228 malignant biopsies (0.4%, carcinoid tumor on cytopathology, alveolar adenoma on resection surgical pathology). Among 223 PPLs without malignant diagnosis at initial bronchoscopy, 48 were later determined to be malignant. Most (n=39) exhibited nonspecific abnormalities on initial pathology. Two of 104 specific benign biopsies were false negative (1.9%). Both demonstrated organizing pneumonia on initial pathology but re-biopsy months after index bronchoscopy revealed Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of specific benign findings for an ultimately benign nodule were 58% (95% CI, 51-66%), 95% (86-99%), and 90% (70-97%). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of nonspecific benign findings for an ultimately benign PPL diagnosis were 32% (95% CI, 25-39%), 19% (9-33%), and 20% (16-24%). CONCLUSION(S): A definition of diagnostic yield excluding nonspecific benign findings had low false positive/negative rates. If bronchoscopy is not diagnostic of malignancy, a specific benign finding was highly predictive of an ultimately benign PPL, while nonspecific findings poorly predicted benignity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This definition of diagnostic yield could be used as the primary outcome in future studies, permitting distribution of reliable diagnostic results without requiring years of follow-up. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Joyce Johnson No relevant relationships by Robert Lentz No relevant relationships by Kaele Leonard No relevant relationships by See-Wei Low PI ofan investigator-initiated study relationship with Medtronic Please note: >$100000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support PI on investigator-initiated relationship with Erbe Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Consulting relationship with Medtronic Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Honoraria co-I industry-sponsored trial relationship with Lung Therapeutics Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Board of director member relationship with AABIP Please note: $1-$1000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Travel Consultant relationship with Medtronic/Covidien Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Otis Rickman, value=Consulting fee No relevant relationships by Briana Swanner Copyright © 2022 American College of Chest Physicians

Inter-Rater Reliability of a Novel Objective Outcome Measure for the Study of Benign Central Airway Stenosis: Segmentation-Based Volume Rendering of Ct Scans

SESSION TITLE: Technological Innovations in Imaging SESSION TYPE: Original Investigations PRESENTED ON: 10/17/22 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PURPOSE: Central airway stenosis (CAS) is an important cause of pulmonary morbidity and mortality. Current grading and classification systems include subjective qualitative components, with limited data on reproducibility. We propose a novel radiographic segmentation approach to more objectively quantify CAS. Inter-rater reliability of this novel outcome, which is used in an ongoing randomized controlled trial (NCT04996173), has not been previously assessed. METHOD(S): Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrating tracheal stenoses were identified in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Benign Tracheal Stenosis registry. CTs were analyzed in OsiriX (Geneva, Switzerland) after upload via a secured cloud transfer service. Four independent readers with variable experience in CT interpretation were chosen (one chest radiologist, one pulmonary fellow, two internal medicine residents). Readers identified the point of nadir airway lumen, measured 1.5 cm above and below that point, then manually segmented visible tracheal lumen area on the soft tissue window of each axial CT slice within that 3 cm length. Missing ROI's were then generated in-between manual segmented areas. The Repulsor function was used to manually adjust the boundaries of the ROI to achieve fit. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was used to calculate the inter-rater reliability of the tracheal lumen volume of between readers. Other data collection variables included the type of CT scan, axial slice interval, the suspected underlying cause of CAS, and average stenotic volume. RESULT(S): Fifty CT scans from 38 individual patients identified in the registry from 2011-2021 were randomly chosen for inclusion. Most (22 of 38, 57.9%) had iatrogenic BCAS (either post-intubation or post-tracheostomy) and 10 (26.3%) had idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Half of the scans (n=25, 50%) were contrasted neck CT and half were non contrasted chest CTs. Scan slice thickness ranged 1 to 5 mm, median 2 mm (1.25-2.875). The median stenotic volume across all readers was 3.375 cm3 (2.52-4.51). The average ICC across all four readers was 0.969 (95% CI 0.944 - 0.982). CONCLUSION(S): Our proposed volume rendering and segmentation approach to BCAS proves to have substantial precision and agreement amongst readers of different skill levels. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A NOVEL METHOD TO ASSESS SEVERITY OF BENIGN CENTRAL AIRWAY STENOSIS DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Leah Brown No relevant relationships by Alexander Gelbard no disclosure on file for Robert Lentz;PI ofan investigator-initiated study relationship with Medtronic Please note: >$100000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support PI on investigator-initiated relationship with Erbe Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Consulting relationship with Medtronic Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Honoraria co-I industry-sponsored trial relationship with Lung Therapeutics Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Grant/Research Support Board of director member relationship with AABIP Please note: $1-$1000 by Fabien Maldonado, value=Travel No relevant relationships by Khushbu Patel No relevant relationships by Ankush Ratwani Consultant relationship with Medtronic/Covidien Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Otis Rickman, value=Consulting fee No relevant relationships by Evan Schwartz Copyright © 2022 American College of Chest Physicians

DIFFERENCES between the FIRST and the SECOND WAVE of SARS-COV-2 INFECTION in PATIENTS with IMMUNE-MEDIATED INFLAMMATORY DISEASES in ARGENTINA: DATA from the SAR-COVID REGISTRY

Background: In Argentina we have witnessed two COVID 19 waves between 2020 and 2021. The frst wave occurred during the spring of 2020 and it was related to the wild type of the virus, the second occurred during the fall/winter of 2021 when the gamma variant showed a clear predominance. During the frst wave, patient with rheumatic diseases showed a higher frequency of hospitaliza-tion and mortality (4% vs 0.26%) when compared to the general population1;at that time, however, vaccination was not yet available. Objectives: To compare sociodemographic and disease characteristics, course and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated/auto-infammatory diseases (IMADs) during the frst and second waves in Argentina. Methods: SAR-COVID is a national, multicenter, longitudinal and observational registry, in which patients ≥18 years of age, with a diagnosis of a rheumatic disease who had confrmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or positive serol-ogy) were consecutively included since August 2020. For the purpose of this report, only patients with IMADs who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during the frst wave (defned as cases occurred between March 2020 and March 2021) and the second wave (cases occurred between April and August 2021) were examined. Sociodemographic characteristics, disease diagnosis and activity, comorbidities, immunosuppressive treatment and COVID 19 clinical characteristics, complications and outcomes: hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, use of mechanical ventilation and death were compared among groups. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Variables were compared with Chi squared test and Student T test or Mann Whitney test. Multivariable logistic regression models with forward and backward selection method, using hospitalization, ICU admission and death as dependent variables were carried out. Results: A total of 1777 patients were included, 1342 from the frst wave and 435 of the second one. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 50.7 (14.2) years and 81% were female. Both groups of patients were similar in terms of socio-de-mographic features, disease diagnosis, disease activity, the use of glucocorti-coids ≥ 10 mg/day and the immunosuppressive drugs (Table 1 below). Patients infected during the frst wave have higher frequency of comorbidities (49% vs 41%;p= 0.004). Hospitalizations due to COVID 19 (31% vs 20%;p <0.001) and ICU admissions (9% vs 5%;p= 0.009) were higher during the frst wave. No differences in the use of mechanical ventilation (16% vs 16%;p= 0.97) nor in the mortality rate (5% vs 4%;p= 0.41) were observed. In the multivariable analysis, after adjusting for demographics, clinical features and immunosup-pressive treatment, patients infected during the second wave were 40% less likely to be hospitalized (OR= 0.6, IC95% 0.4-0.8) and to be admitted to the ICU (OR= 0.6, IC95% 0.3-0.9). Conclusion: The impact of COVID 19 in Argentina, in terms of mortality in patients with IMADs was still higher compared to the general population during the second wave. However, the frequency of hospitalizations and ICU admissions was lower. These fndings could be explained by the introduction of the SARS COV 2 vaccination and, probably, by the cumulative knowledge and management improvement of this infection among physicians.

IS PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS A RISK FACTOR for SEVERE COVID-19 INFECTION? DATA from the ARGENTINIAN REGISTRY SAR-COVID

Background: Comorbidities, particularly cardio-metabolic disorders, are highly prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and they were associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which have been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Whether PsA enhances the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or affects the disease outcome remains to be ascertained. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of patients with PsA with confrmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from the SAR-COVID registry and to identify the variables associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes, comparing them with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Cross-sectional observational study including patients ≥18 years old, with diagnosis of PsA (CASPAR criteria) and RA (ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria), who had confrmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or serology) from the SAR-COVID registry. Recruitment period was between August 13, 2020 and July 31, 2021. Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, and treatments were analyzed. To assess the severity of the infection, the ordinal scale of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)1 was used, and it was considered that a patient met the primary outcome, if they presented criteria of categories 5 or higher on the severity scale. For this analysis, Chi2 test, Fisher's test, Student's test or Wilcoxon test, and binomial logistic regression using NIAID>=5 as dependent variable were performed. Results: A total of 129 PsA patients and 808 with RA were included. Clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Regarding PsA treatment, 12.4% of PsA were receiving IL-17 inhibitors, 5.4% IL12-23 inhibitors, one patient apremilast and one abatacept. The frequency of NIAID≥5 was comparable between groups (PsA 19.5% vs RA 20.1%;p=0.976). (Figure 1). PsA patients with NIAID≥5 in comparison with NIAID<5 were older (58.6±11.4 vs 50±12.5;p=0.002), had more frequently hypertension (52.2% vs 23%;p=0.011) and dyslipidemia (39.1% vs 15%;p=0.017). In the multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.06;95% CI 1.02-1.11) was associated with a worse outcome of the COVID-19 (NIAID≥5) in patients with PsA, while those who received methotrexate (OR 0.34;95% CI 0.11-0.92) and biological DMARDs (OR 0.28;95% CI 0.09-0.78) had a better outcome. Conclusion: Although PsA patients have a higher frequency of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities than those with RA, the COVID-19 severity was similar. Most of the patients had mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and a low death rate.

Impact of COVID-19 on Hawai'i Community Agencies, Service Organizations, and the Individuals They Serve: A Snapshot from a Spring 2020 HI-EMA Survey

Health and social service organizations across Hawai'i were surveyed between April 29 and May 11, 2020 by the Community Care Outreach Unit of the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency. This article contextualizes and describes some of the major findings of that survey that reveal the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Hawai'i community agencies, service organizations, and the individuals they serve. Major issues for individuals served by the responding organizations included securing basic needs such as food and housing as well as access to health services, mental health needs, and COVID-19 concerns (such as inadequate personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, quarantine, and testing issues). Respondents reported that job loss and the resulting financial problems were a root cause of personal strain among clients served. Community-level stress was related to the distressed economy and store closures. Fulfilling immediate and future needs of health and social service agencies and the individuals they serve, as articulated in this report, could dampen the effect of COVID-19, promote population wellbeing, and support community resilience. ©Copyright 2021 by University Health Partners of Hawai‘i (UHP Hawai‘i).

Experience of transforming a clinical surgical-anesthetic unit into a COVID-19 critical patient one in a teaching hospital

Introduction: The experience of restructuring a clinical surgical-anesthetic unit into a critical patient unit in charge of surgical-anesthetic personnel is presented during the period from May to July 2020 in the context of a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objectives: Describe the unit’s restructuring process, considering technical aspects, changes in staff functions, clinical outcomes of the patients, quality indicators obtained and the psychological impact on the healthcare team. Matherial and Methods: The strategies implemented by the responsible experts were described (ie: engineering). Clinical data were obtained from an institutional database and electronical medical records. The management of human resources was described using administrative records of the services of anesthesiology, OR and critical patient unit. The psychological impact on the unit staff was evaluated by applying the Maslach questionnaire. The quality of the clinical management of the unit was obtained from the compilation of standardized quality indicators for the critical patient units of the institution. Results: 25 patients were admitted in the unit. The mean age was 62 ± 12 years. About the complications, 52% had pulmonary embolism, 36% had acute kidney injury, and 1 patient died. The prevalence of Burnout Syndrome was 73.6%. The occurrence of adverse events was minimal. Discussion: The transformation of an anesthetic-surgical unit into a COVID critical patient one, demands a complex net of coordinated strategies to allow facing the attention demand with positive clinical results, at the expense of the health care team mental health. © 2021 Sociedad de Anestesiologia de Chile. All rights reserved.