Challenges in Access to Diagnosis and Treatment of Autoimmune Encephalitis in Hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean

This study is aimed at determining the characteristics of access to diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean. The descriptive, prospective, and multicenter study was conducted from October to November 2023. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages in the descriptive analysis, whereas measures of central tendency and dispersion were shown for quantitative data. A distribution map was created based on the number of participating countries. A total of 108 doctors from 19 Latin America and the Caribbean participated, and participants’ median age and years of medical practice were 40 and 13 years, respectively. Regarding specialties, individuals who responded the most to the survey were general intensivists (31.5%), neurologists (28.7%), and neurointensivists (17.6%). There were significant limitations in access to diagnostic methods (resonance, antibody testing, and electroencephalogram), absence of institutional protocols, potential high out-of-pocket costs in financing antibody tests, and low patient follow-up. Heterogeneous diagnostic strategies and therapeutic approaches were found in the countries evaluated, and there was acceptable access to first-line immunotherapy and anticrisis. This first multinational study addressing the existing limitations in Latin America and the Caribbean for treating patients with AE revealed great difficulties and possible inequities. It is important to conduct multidisciplinary collaborations to increase awareness of this disease among decision-makers, clinicians, and investors to reduce its negative impact on the well-being and productivity of affected populations.