Frequency and severity of COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: A short single-site report from northern Italy

Francesco Crescenzo; Damiano Marastoni; Chiara Bovo; Massimiliano Calabrese

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2020.102372

Frequency and severity of COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: A short single-site report from northern Italy

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2020 Sep:44:102372. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102372. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Authors

Francesco Crescenzo¹, Damiano Marastoni¹, Chiara Bovo², Massimiliano Calabrese³

Affiliations

¹ Neurology Section - Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy.
² Medical Direction, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy.
³ Neurology Section - Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy. Electronic address: massimiliano.calabrese@univr.it.

Abstract

Neurologists are interested in understanding whether patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) undergoing immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive therapy are more susceptible to developing COVID-19 or have worse outcomes. Currently, there are no conclusive data in this regard. We report the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 (confirmed and possible) in pwMS followed at the Veneto Regional MS Center in Verona (Italy), an area most stricken by COVID-19. In our sample size, the prevalence of COVID-19 seems to be much higher than that officially reported at the regional level on the general population, but it also characterized by a favourable course.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; multiple sclerosis.

MeSH terms

Adult
COVID-19 / complications
COVID-19 / epidemiology*
Female
Humans
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Italy
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis / complications
Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
Prevalence
Severity of Illness Index

Substances

Immunologic Factors
Immunosuppressive Agents