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SARS-CoV-2 infection and seroprevalence in patients with multiple sclerosis
R Piñar Morales1, M A Ramírez Rivas2, F J Barrero Hernández3
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, España.
Introduction:
The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the influence of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for MS on COVID-19 are unknown. To date, patients with MS have not been shown to present greater risk of COVID-19 or more severe progression of the disease.
Methods:
We performed a descriptive study of patients with MS presenting SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed with PCR. We analysed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment variables in our sample. Presence of antibodies against the virus was also determined.
Results:
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was the most frequent form of MS in our sample. Prognosis was unfavourable in 10.2% of patients, and was associated with older age and higher scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 83.3% in our sample. Development of antibodies was not associated with DMT, lymphocytopaenia, or any of the other variables analysed.
Conclusions:
The incidence of COVID-19 was slightly lower in our sample than in the general population in our province. Unfavourable prognosis was associated with older age and higher EDSS scores. DMT and lymphocytopaenia did not influence the clinical course of COVID-19. Seroprevalence of antibodies against the virus in our sample was similar to that reported for the general population with positive PCR results for the virus; the influence of specific DMTs could not be determined.
Insights
COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients did not show increased risk or severity, with disease-modifying therapies (DMT) and lymphocytopaenia not impacting outcomes. Antibody prevalence was similar to the general population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) remains unclear.
- Existing data suggests MS patients may not face a higher risk or more severe COVID-19 progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical course and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- To evaluate the influence of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and lymphocytopaenia on COVID-19 in MS patients.
- To determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this population.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted on MS patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 via PCR.
- Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were analyzed.
- SARS-CoV-2 antibody presence was determined in the patient sample.
Main Results:
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was the most common form observed.
- Unfavorable prognosis occurred in 10.2% of patients, linked to older age and higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
- SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was 83.3%, not associated with DMTs or lymphocytopaenia.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 incidence in the studied MS sample was slightly lower than the general population.
- Older age and higher EDSS scores were associated with unfavorable COVID-19 prognosis in MS patients.
- DMTs and lymphocytopaenia did not significantly influence the clinical course of COVID-19; antibody prevalence was comparable to the general population.
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