COVID-19-Related Burden and Risk Perception in Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction This study investigated the mental health burden of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to matched healthy controls. Methods The cross-sectional study included 59 patients with a diagnosis of either CIDP or MMN and 59 propensity score matched healthy controls. All participants completed a survey including demographics, distress (distress thermometer), depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), COVID-19-related fear, and risk perception. Additionally, patients with CIDP or MMN were asked about the frequency and type of infections since treatment initiation. Results Patients with either CIDP or MMN reported experiencing reduced frequency or no differences in infection frequency since immune medication was initiated. Regarding COVID-19, patients with CIDP or MMN rated their risk of infection similar to healthy controls, while they expected a higher probability of the occurrence of symptoms, severe course, and dying of COVID-19. They reported increased depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and COVID-19-related fear in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusion Despite their personal experience of reduced frequency of infection since immune medication was initiated, patients with CIDP or MMN reported increased risk perception and prevalence of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and COVID-19-related fear in comparison to healthy controls. This highlights the need for evidence-driven strategies to protect the mental health of this vulnerable group. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-022-00359-3.

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic on patients with chronic inflammatory neuropathies: results from the German INHIBIT register

“…People went to the hospital less often out of fear for potential infection [16][17][18]. This is also shown in the study of Musche et al Despite evidence of reduced infections from immunotherapy in patients with CIDP and MMN, the prevalence of depression and fear of potential infection has increased [19].…”

“…In 2021, 17.9% did not keep to their medical appointments as before the pandemic, 16.3% reported this in 2022. 19.2% went to the physician less often because of the neuropathy in 2021, 13.7% in 2022. 17.8% had increased telephone contact with their treating physicians in 2021, 13.7% reported this in 2022.…”

Letter to the Editor regarding “COVID-19-Related Burden and Risk Perception in Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study”

“…We read with interest the article by Musche et al about a study of psychological distress and risk perception in 59 patients with either chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) using a survey including demographics, distress (distress thermometer), depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-7), anxiety related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), risk perception under immunosuppression, and frequency and type of infections since baseline [ 1 ]. It was concluded that patients with CIDP/MMN on immune medication experience reduced infection frequency, increased risk perception, increased prevalence of depression, generalized anxiety, and increased anxiety related to COVID-19 [ 1 ]. The study is attractive but raises concerns that should be discussed.…”

“…According to the results section, only 76% of the included patients received a long-term therapy with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulins (IVIG, SCIG) [ 1 ]. Therefore, the study population was not homogenous for the treatment, and it cannot be concluded that treatment had an impact on the responses given by the patients.…”

A Response to: Letter to the Editor regarding “COVID-19-Related Burden and Risk Perception in Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study”

“…The study assessed the mental health burden of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)—the most common forms of chronic immune-mediated neuropathies—in comparison to propensity score-matched healthy controls during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 1 ].…”