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Risk and outcomes of COVID‐19 in patients with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
MorenoTorres Irene,
Meca Lallana Virginia,
CostaFrossard Lucienne,
OrejaGuevara Celia,
Aguirre Clara,
Alba Suárez Elda María,
Gómez Moreno Mayra,
Borrega Canelo Laura,
Sabín Muñoz Julia,
Aladro Yolanda,
Cárcamo Alba,
Rodríguez García Elena,
Cuello Juan Pablo,
Monreal Enric,
Sainz de la Maza Susana,
Pérez Parra Fernando,
Valenzuela Rojas Francisco,
López de Silanes de Miguel Carlos,
Casanova Ignacio,
Martínez Gines Maria Luisa,
Blasco Rosario,
Orviz García Aida,
VillarGuimerans Luisa María,
FernándezDono Guillermo,
Elvira Víctor,
Santiuste Carmen,
Espiño Mercedes,
García Domínguez José Manuel
Publication year - 2021
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.14990
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , intensive care unit , confidence interval , population , rate ratio , pediatrics , multiple sclerosis , relative risk , covid-19 , disease , emergency medicine , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , environmental health , physics , optics
Background and purpose Limited information is available on incidence and outcomes of COVID‐19 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study investigated the risks of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19‐related outcomes in patients with MS, and compared these with the general population. Methods A regional registry was created to collect data on incidence, hospitalization rates, intensive care unit admission, and death in patients with MS and COVID‐19. National government outcomes and seroprevalence data were used for comparison. The study was conducted at 14 specialist MS treatment centers in Madrid, Spain, between February and May 2020. Results Two‐hundred nineteen patients were included in the registry, 51 of whom were hospitalized with COVID‐19. The mean age ± standard deviation was 45.3 ± 12.4 years, and the mean duration of MS was 11.9 ± 8.9 years. The infection incidence rate was lower in patients with MS than the general population (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70–0.80), but hospitalization rates were higher (relative risk = 5.03, 95% CI = 3.76–6.62). Disease severity was generally low, with only one admission to an intensive care unit and five deaths. Males with MS had higher incidence rates and risk of hospitalization than females. No association was found between the use of any disease‐modifying treatment and hospitalization risk. Conclusions Patients with MS do not appear to have greater risks of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or severe COVID‐19 outcomes compared with the general population. The decision to start or continue disease‐modifying treatment should be based on a careful risk–benefit assessment.