A new study investigated the risk factors for developing a severe form of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis. Researchers found risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19 were neurological disability, age, and obesity, but no link was found between disease-modifying therapies exposure and COVID-19 severity. The identification of these risk factors could provide a rationale for an individual strategy of clinical management in patients with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 in patients with MS are unknown. DMTs may modify the risk of developing a severe COVID-19 infection, beside identified risk factors such as age and comorbidities. A new study by French researchers at multiple medical centers set out to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with MS and COVID-19 and identify factors associated with COVID-19 severity.
The Covisep registry is a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study conducted in MS expert centers and general hospitals and with neurologists collaborating with MS expert centers and members of the Société Francophone de la Sclérose en Plaques. The study included patients with MS presenting with a confirmed or highly suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and May 21, 2020.
The main outcome was COVID-19 severity assessed on a 7-point ordinal scale with a cutoff at 3. Researchers collected demographics, neurological history, Expanded Disability Severity Scale score, comorbidities, COVID-19 characteristics, and outcomes. Statistical modelling used to estimate the links of collected variables with COVID-19 outcomes.
To read this article in its entirity click here No Link Between