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The effect of air pollution on COVID‐19 severity in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Bergamaschi Roberto,
Ponzano Marta,
Schiavetti Irene,
Carmisciano Luca,
Cordioli Cinzia,
Filippi Massimo,
Radaelli Marta,
Immovilli Paolo,
Capobianco Marco,
De Rossi Nicola,
Brichetto Giampaolo,
Cocco Eleonora,
Scandellari Cinzia,
Cavalla Paola,
Pesci Ilaria,
Zito Antonio,
Confalonieri Paolo,
Marfia Girolama Alessandra,
Perini Paola,
Inglese Matilde,
Trojano Maria,
Brescia Morra Vincenzo,
Pisoni Enrico,
Tedeschi Gioacchino,
Comi Giancarlo,
Battaglia Mario Alberto,
Patti Francesco,
Salvetti Marco,
Sormani Maria Pia
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.15167
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , logistic regression , odds ratio , air pollution , observational study , multiple sclerosis , odds , retrospective cohort study , environmental health , emergency medicine , disease , outbreak , virology , psychiatry , organic chemistry , infectious disease (medical specialty) , chemistry
Background and purpose Some studies have shown that air pollution, often assessed by thin particulate matter with diameter below 2.5 µg/m 3 (PM2.5), may contribute to severe COVID‐19 courses, as well as play a role in the onset and evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the impact of air pollution on COVID‐19 has never been explored specifically amongst patients with MS (PwMS). This retrospective observational study aims to explore associations between PM2.5 and COVID‐19 severity amongst PwMS. Methods Data were retrieved from an Italian web‐based platform (MuSC‐19) which includes PwMS with COVID‐19. PM2.5 2016–2018 average concentrations were provided by the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service. Italian patients inserted in the platform from 15 January 2020 to 9 April 2021 with a COVID‐19 positive test were included. Ordered logistic regression models were used to study associations between PM2.5 and COVID‐19 severity. Results In all, 1087 patients, of whom 13% required hospitalization and 2% were admitted to an intensive care unit or died, were included. Based on the multivariate analysis, higher concentrations of PM2.5 increased the risk of worse COVID‐19 course (odds ratio 1.90; p = 0.009). Conclusions Even if several other factors explain the unfavourable course of COVID‐19 in PwMS, the role of air pollutants must be considered and further investigated.