Myotonic dystrophy type 1 in the COVID-19 era

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.

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.

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.

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.