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Myotonic dystrophy type 1 in the COVID-19 era
Jelena Ilic Zivojinovic1, Katarina Djurdjevic1, Ivo Bozovic2
1Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients experienced COVID-19 similarly to the general population, but with increased severity linked to disease duration. Vaccination significantly protected DM1 individuals from severe COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common adult muscular dystrophy.
- DM1 patients may be at higher risk for respiratory infections like COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess COVID-19 infection characteristics in DM1 patients.
- To evaluate the vaccination rate and vaccine safety in DM1 patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional cohort study of 89 DM1 patients.
- Data collected on COVID-19 infection history, severity, and vaccination status.
- Analysis of disease duration and COVID-19 severity correlation.
Main Results:
- 40.4% of DM1 patients reported COVID-19 infection.
- 14% of infected patients required hospitalization.
- COVID-19 severity correlated with DM1 duration; unvaccinated patients had more severe disease.
- 66.3% of patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.
- Mild adverse events reported in 20.3% of vaccinated patients.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection rates were similar to the general population, but severity was higher in DM1 patients, particularly those with longer disease duration.
- COVID-19 vaccination demonstrated a favorable safety profile and effectiveness in preventing severe disease among DM1 patients.
Introduction:
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most prevalent muscular dystrophy in adults. People with DM1 might represent a high-risk population for respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of COVID-19 infection and vaccination rate in DM1 patients.
Methods:
This cross-sectional cohort study included 89 patients from the Serbian registry for myotonic dystrophies. Mean age at testing was 48.4 ± 10.4 years with 41 (46.1%) male patients. Mean duration of the disease was 24.0 ± 10.3 years.
Results:
COVID-19 infection was reported by 36 (40.4%) DM1 patients. Around 14% of patients had a more severe form of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. The severity of COVID-19 was in accordance with the duration of DM1. A severe form of COVID-19 was reported in 20.8% of patients who were not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and in none of the vaccinated ones. The majority of 89 tested patients (66.3%) were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. About half of them (54.2%) received three doses and 35.6% two doses of vaccine. Mild adverse events after vaccination were recorded in 20.3% of patients.
Conclusions:
The percentage of DM1 patients who suffered from COVID-19 was like in general population, but with more severe forms in DM1, especially in patients with longer DM1 duration. The study indicated an overall favorable safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines among individuals with DM1 and its ability to protect them from severe COVID-19.
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