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¿ Can COVID-19 exacerbate multiple sclerosis symptoms? A case series analysis
Gloria Michelena1, Magdalena Casas2, María Bárbara Eizaguirre2
1Hospital Militar Central Dr. Cosme Argerich, CABA, Argentina.
Introduction:
Peripheral inflammation can exacerbate pre-existing lesions in the Central Nervous System (CNS) in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Objective:
To analyze the clinical effect of COVID-19 infection, as a generator of peripheral inflammation, in a MS patients group.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 400 medical records of MS patients from a referral center was carried out. MS patients who presented COVID-19 were surveyed about symptoms exacerbation: type, duration and onset of exacerbation, previous vaccination against COVID-19 and MS severity. Clinical and demographic information from the medical records were included. Descriptive and inferential analysis were performed using the GraphPad Prism V6.
Results:
41 patients were included, 61% (n = 25) reported neurological worsening, 9.7% (n = 4) as relapses, and 7.3% (n = 3) required corticosteroids. We found significant differences in the EDSS between patients who exacerbated their MS symptoms and those who did not (p = 0.03). When performing a multivariate regression analysis, we found that EDSS was independently associated with the presence of exacerbations of MS in the context of SARS-CoV2 infection (OR = 2.44, p = 0.022).
Conclusions:
This preliminary study suggests that COVID-19 infection could trigger exacerbations of MS symptoms. New studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between COVID-19 and MS.
Insights
COVID-19 infection may worsen symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, potentially triggering exacerbations. Further research is needed to understand this link between SARS-CoV-2 and MS progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Peripheral inflammation is known to worsen Central Nervous System (CNS) lesions in neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- COVID-19 infection causes peripheral inflammation, necessitating an investigation into its effects on MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical impact of COVID-19 infection on patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 400 MS patient medical records.
- Surveyed 41 MS patients with COVID-19 regarding symptom exacerbation, vaccination status, and disease severity.
- Utilized GraphPad Prism V6 for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- 61% of MS patients reported neurological worsening following COVID-19 infection.
- A significant difference in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was observed between patients with and without symptom exacerbation (p=0.03).
- EDSS was independently associated with MS exacerbations during SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR=2.44, p=0.022).
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest COVID-19 may trigger exacerbations in MS patients.
- Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between COVID-19 and MS.
- This research highlights a potential clinical concern for MS patients contracting SARS-CoV-2.
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