THU126 SARS-CoV-2 Infection And Vaccination In Patients With Pituitary Diseases: A Pilot Study

Disclosure: M.C. Silva: None. L.M. Del Corso: None. C.L. Boguszewski: None. Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus brought several questions globally. Among patients with pituitary diseases, there are few data in the literature about prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and their possible consequences and adverse events. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the prevalence, efficacy and safety of vaccination in adult patients with pituitary diseases. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients with pituitary diseases followed in a reference center. Clinical data were collected and a questionnaire about SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and its possible adverse effects was applied. The severity definitions used for COVID-19 disease were based on the World Health Organization: Mild – symptoms of infection without pneumonia; Moderate – presence of pneumonia; Severe – severe pneumonia (respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute, severe respiratory distress or oxygen saturation less than 90% on room air). Results: We have studied 116 consecutive patients, 59 women (50.9%), with a median age of 47.5 years (range 39-59). The cause of pituitary disease was tumoral in 82 cases (70.7%) and non-tumoral in 34 (29.3%), the most prevalent etiologies were prolactinoma (n=31; 26.7%), idiopathic hypopituitarism (n=30; 25.9%) and acromegaly (n=23; 19.8%). Among hypopituitary patients (n=65; 56%), thirty (46.2%) had ACTH deficiency and all were on glucocorticoid replacement. The median time of pituitary disease was 14 years (range 6-23) and the median age at diagnosis was 32 years (range 18.5-45). SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 33 patients [28.4%; 17 before vaccination; 21 women; prolactinoma (n=12), acromegaly (n=9), non-tumoral disease (n=8); ACTH deficiency (n=6)]. The median age of infected patients was 47.5 years (range 29.5-57). In 20 cases (60.6%) the infection was mild, in 8 (24.2%) was moderate and in 5 (15.2%) was severe. All severe cases required hospitalization, although one patient refused. All but one of the participants were vaccinated against COVID-19, mostly Oxford-AstraZeneca (41.7%) and Pfizer-BioNTech (35.8%). Among those vaccinated, 64 (55.7%) reported on some adverse events, the most common pain at the site of vaccine shot (28.3%), fever (19.5%) and headache (9.7%), with a median duration of 1.5 days (range 1-3). In 61 cases, the reversal of symptoms was spontaneous (95.3%), two patients required outpatient care, and in one permanent alopecia developed. Conclusions: The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pituitary diseases was 28.4%, with 5% of severe cases requiring hospitalization. The vaccination was almost universal among our patients, being safe and effective in preventing severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023