COVID-19 is associated with new symptoms of multiple sclerosis that are prevented by disease modifying therapies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Infections can trigger exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS). The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on MS are not known. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on new and pre-existing symptoms of MS.

Methods

The COVID-19 and MS study is an ongoing community-based, prospective cohort study conducted as part of the United Kingdom MS Register. People with MS and COVID-19 were invited by email to complete a questionnaire about their MS symptoms during the infection. An MS exacerbation was defined as developing new MS symptoms and/or worsening of pre-existing MS symptoms.

Results

Fifty-seven percent (230/404) of participants had an MS exacerbation during their infection; 82 developed new MS symptoms, 207 experienced wo

SUBMITTER: Garjani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9585399 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature