Cross-sectional case-control studies (Blue)
Risk factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described. Recent improvements in supportive care measures and increased testing capacity may modify the risk of severe COVID-19 outcome in MS patients. This retrospective study evaluates the severity and outcome of COVID-19 in MS and characterizes temporal trends over the course of the pandemic in the United States. The authors conducted a comparative cohort study using de-identified electronic health record (EHR) claims-based data. MS patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2, 2020 and October 13, 2020 were matched (1:2) to a control group using propensity score analysis. The primary outcome was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and/or death. A total of 2,529 patients (843 MS and 1,686 matched controls) were included. Non-ambulatory and pre-existing comorbidities were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity. The risk for the severe composite outcome was lower in the late cohorts compared with the early cohorts. The authors concluded that the majority of MS patients actively treated with a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) had mild disease. The observed trend toward a reduction in severity risk in recent months suggests an improvement in COVID-19 outcome.
Pérez CA, Zhang GQ, Li X, Huang Y, Lincoln JA, Samudralwar RD, Gupta RK, Lindsey JW. COVID-19 severity and outcome in multiple sclerosis: Results of a national, registry-based, matched cohort study. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Aug 16;55:103217. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103217.
