COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinically reported outcomes from the UK Multiple Sclerosis Register

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The United Kingdom Multiple Sclerosis Register (UKMSR) initiated an electronic data collection system in March 2020 to track COVID-19 in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS).
• This system was developed in collaboration with MS neurologists to ensure accurate data capture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of disability, age, and disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) on hospital admission and mortality rates in pwMS diagnosed with COVID-19.
• To compare outcomes between the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Anonymized data from clinical teams were analyzed using regression models to identify predictors of hospitalization and mortality.
• Separate analyses were conducted to compare outcomes during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

• Univariable analysis indicated that increasing age, male gender, comorbidities, severe disability, and progressive MS were associated with higher risks of hospitalization and mortality, with severe disability showing the strongest link.
• Multivariable analysis identified only age and male gender as significant predictors for adverse outcomes.
• Hospitalization and mortality rates were lower during the second wave compared to the first wave.

Conclusions:

• Risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes in people with MS are similar to those in the general population.
• Disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) were not associated with adverse outcomes in pwMS with COVID-19.
• Mortality rates for pwMS with COVID-19 appeared lower during the second wave of the pandemic.