Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
A New England COVID-19 Registry of Patients With CNS Demyelinating Disease: A Pilot Analysis
Kelli M Money1, Ashmanie Mahatoo1, Soleil Samaan1
1From the Department of Neurology (K.M.M., A.M., S.S., U.B., J.A.S.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston; Department of Neurology (P.A.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA; The Mandell Comprehensive MS Center (M.B., P.W.), Hartford, CT; Department of Neurology (R.B., M.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston; The Elliot Lewis Center (A. Bouley, J.K., E. Lathi), Wellesley, MA; Department of Neurology (A. Bower, E. Levit, E.E.L.), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (J.C.), Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Neurology (M.M.), Lahey Hospital, Burlington; Neurology Center of New England (S.N.), Foxboro, MA; and Department of Neurology (P.R.), Concord Hospital, Concord, NH.
Insights
Patients with central nervous system demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) face hospitalization risks from COVID-19. Increased disability, age, and comorbidities, not MS therapies, independently predicted severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), may alter COVID-19 severity.
- Understanding COVID-19 risks in these patients is crucial for pandemic management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization in patients with CNS demyelinating diseases.
- To identify factors increasing severe COVID-19 risk in this population.
Main Methods:
- A pilot cohort of 91 patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from the Northeastern US was analyzed.
- Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified risk factors for hospitalization.
- Statistical tests included Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Chi-squared, and Fisher exact tests.
Main Results:
- The cohort experienced a 27.5% hospitalization rate and a 4.4% case fatality rate.
- Independent risk factors for hospitalization included pre-infection disability (Timed 25-Foot Walk), older age, comorbidities, and neurological symptoms.
- Headache predicted a milder COVID-19 course; lower lymphocyte counts were observed in hospitalized patients.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalization risk was associated with disability, age, and comorbidities, but not disease-modifying therapy use.
- COVID-19 outcomes in this cohort were comparable to general population and MS cohorts.
- Findings guide patient care decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals with CNS demyelinating diseases.
Background And Objectives:
We sought to define the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection requiring hospitalization in patients with CNS demyelinating diseases such as MS and the factors that increase the risk for severe infection to guide decisions regarding patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
A pilot cohort of 91 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection from the Northeastern United States was analyzed to characterize patient risk factors and factors associated with an increased severity of COVID-19 infection. Univariate analysis of variance was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test or analysis of variance for continuous variables and the χ2 or Fisher exact test for nominal variables. Univariate and stepwise multivariate logistic regression identified clinical characteristics or symptoms associated with hospitalization.
Results:
Our cohort demonstrated a 27.5% hospitalization rate and a 4.4% case fatality rate. Performance on Timed 25-Foot Walk before COVID-19 infection, age, number of comorbidities, and presenting symptoms of nausea/vomiting and neurologic symptoms (e.g., paresthesia or weakness) were independent risk factors for hospitalization, whereas headache predicted a milder course without hospitalization. An absolute lymphocyte count was lower in hospitalized patients during COVID-19 infection. Use of disease-modifying therapy did not increase the risk of hospitalization but was associated with an increased need for respiratory support.
Discussion:
The case fatality and hospitalization rates in our cohort were similar to those found in MS and general population COVID-19 cohorts within the region. Hospitalization was associated with increased disability, age, and comorbidities but not disease-modifying therapy use.
Related Concept Videos
01:37Neural Regulation
01:18Viral Meningitis