Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2025

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

10.7K

Modifiable risk factors of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis: a single-centre case-control study

Federico Montini1, Agostino Nozzolillo1, Paola M V Rancoita2

  • 1Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.

Journal of Neurology
|February 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Higher vitamin D levels and active smoking are protective factors against COVID-19 in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Conversely, increased household size and healthcare sector employment elevate COVID-19 risk for PwMS.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) may face increased risk of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to immune system abnormalities.
  • Assessing modifiable risk factors for COVID-19 in PwMS is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify modifiable risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
  • To compare lifestyle, environmental, and clinical factors between PwMS with and without COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 149 PwMS with COVID-19 (MS-COVID) and 292 matched controls (MS-NCOVID) from March 2020 to March 2021.
  • Data collected included epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory information, focusing on vitamin D levels, lifestyle, and work environment.
  • Logistic regression and Bayesian network analyses were employed to determine associations with COVID-19.

Main Results:

  • Higher vitamin D levels (OR 0.93) and active smoking (OR 0.27) were found to be protective against COVID-19 in PwMS.
  • Increased number of cohabitants (OR 1.26), working in direct external contact roles (OR 2.61), or in the healthcare sector (OR 3.73) were identified as significant risk factors.
  • Bayesian analysis suggested that non-smoking status in healthcare workers might explain the observed protective effect of smoking.

Conclusions:

  • Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and promoting teleworking can help mitigate COVID-19 infection risks in PwMS.
  • Identifying and modifying risk factors like household size and occupational exposure are vital for protecting PwMS from COVID-19.
Abstract

Keywords:
Case–control studiesMedical careMultiple sclerosisViral infections

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice05:44

Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice

Published on: October 13, 2023

1.5K
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool11:35

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool

Published on: June 30, 2014

58.1K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.1K
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.3K
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs

A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
15.4K
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
472
Relative Risk01:12

Relative Risk

Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
267
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
43