Author Of 1 Presentation
LB1205 - Covid-19 Infection in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: an observational study by The New York COVID-19 Neuro-Immunology Consortium (NYCNIC) (ID 2054)
Abstract
Background
New York became one of the first epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and many neurologists were faced with the unprecedented challenge of providing medical advice to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) without the support of evidence-based scientific data. Large collaborative studies are needed to determine whether MS itself, or associated disease-modifying therapies (DMT), increase the risk of acquiring COVID-19 or worsen its course.
Objectives
We aim to characterize the patterns of COVID-19 infection in patients with MS and to identify risk factors for severe infection.
Methods
Demographics, MS and COVID-19 clinical features were collected on patients currently followed at 5 large MS Centers in New York City and the tri state area (MSSM, Columbia, Northwell, NYU, and Neurological Associates Of Long Island). Patients with MS or related disorders, who self-identified as diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider (based on characteristic symptoms, radiographic findings and/or positive COVID-19 PCR/serology when available) were included. The severity of COVID-19 infection was measured by a 4-point ordinal scale (home care, hospitalization, ICU, death). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess associations of demographic variables with hospitalization.
Results
Our cohort included 349 patients with median age of 45 (range 13-76), 70.8% female, 25.3% African-American, 23.7% Hispanic. Mean disease duration was 11.5y [SD 9.1]. The prevalence of DMT use was 87.2%, and 80.2% were ambulatory without assistance. Forty-eight (14.2%) patients were hospitalized, and 13 (3.9%) patients died. Multivariate logistic regression models showed associations between EDSS ≥6 (OR 3.9 [95% CI, 1.7-8.8]), obesity (OR 2.4 [95% CI, 1.1-4.9]) and age (OR per 10 year increase: 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1-2.2]) with hospitalization for COVID-19. There were no significant associations between race, ethnicity, comorbidities (cardiac, pulmonary or diabetes), smoking status, or specific DMT and severe COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization.
Conclusions
Age, obesity, and higher EDSS independently predicted severe COVID -19 infection necessitating hospitalization. This is in agreement with COVID -19 outcome predictors in the general population and other MS cohorts. Older patients with limited mobility should be counseled to maintain increased vigilance during the ongoing pandemic.