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COVID-19 and MS disease-modifying therapies
Joseph R Berger1, Rachel Brandstadter2, Amit Bar-Or2
1From the Division of Multiple Sclerosis, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. joseph.berger@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
|May 17, 2020
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) do not appear to increase the risk of COVID-19 infection. Early data suggest MS patients on DMTs face risks similar to the general population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on COVID-19 outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay between MS, its treatments, and SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) and its effects on individuals with MS undergoing DMT.
- To evaluate the influence of various MS DMTs on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of existing literature on the viral etiology of COVID-19.
- Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of injury.
- Examination of the impact of individual MS DMTs on infection risk and disease expression.
Main Results:
- Limited data indicate that MS DMTs do not significantly elevate the risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Severe COVID-19 outcomes seem linked to an exaggerated immune response rather than uncontrolled viral replication.
- The review discusses how MS DMTs might affect viral clearance and potentially mitigate COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Definitive real-world data on specific MS DMTs and COVID-19 are still accumulating.
- Emerging insights suggest MS patients on DMTs have a COVID-19 risk comparable to the general population.
- Registries are expected to provide crucial answers as data collection progresses.
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