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A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
COVID-19 and its implications on the clinico-radiological course of multiple sclerosis: A case-control study
Mohammad Rahmani1, Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi2, Shayan Shahi3
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that has been related to several risk factors such as various viral infections. We carried out this study in order to establish a relationship between COVID-19 infection and MS severity.
Methods:
In a case-control study, we recruited patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients were divided into two groups based on positive COVID-19 PCR at the end of the enrollment phase. Each patient was prospectively followed for 12 months. Demographical, clinical, and past medical history were collected during routine clinical practice. Assessments were performed every six months; MRI was performed at enrollment and 12 months later.
Results:
Three hundred and sixty-two patients participated in this study. MS patients with COVID-19 infection had significantly higher increases in the number of MRI lesions (p: 0.019, OR(CI): 6.37(1.54-26.34)) and EDSS scores (p: 0.017), but no difference was found in total annual relapses or relapse rates. COVID-19 infections were positively correlated with EDSS progression (p: 0.02) and the number of new MRI lesions (p: 0.004) and predicted the likelihood of the number of new MRI lesions by an odds of 5.92 (p: 0.018).
Conclusion:
COVID-19 may lead to higher disability scores in the RRMS population and is associated with developing new Gd-enhancing lesions in MRI imaging. However, no difference was observed between the groups regarding the number of relapses during follow-up.
Insights
COVID-19 infection may worsen multiple sclerosis (MS) severity, increasing disability scores and new MRI lesions in relapsing-remitting MS patients. However, COVID-19 did not impact relapse rates during the 12-month follow-up period.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated condition linked to viral infections.
- The potential impact of COVID-19 on MS severity requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between COVID-19 infection and multiple sclerosis (MS) severity.
- To assess the effect of COVID-19 on clinical and radiological outcomes in RRMS patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 362 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.
- Patients were grouped based on COVID-19 PCR status and followed for 12 months.
- Clinical assessments and MRI scans were performed at baseline and 12 months.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 positive MS patients showed significantly increased MRI lesions and EDSS scores.
- COVID-19 infection correlated positively with EDSS progression and new MRI lesions.
- COVID-19 predicted an increased likelihood of new MRI lesions (OR: 5.92).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 may increase disability and new MRI lesions in RRMS patients.
- No significant difference in relapse rates was observed between COVID-19 positive and negative groups.
- COVID-19 infection is associated with heightened disease activity in MS.
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