Symptoms after COVID-19 Infection in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis in Poland

Abstract

(1) Background: To report and analyze the presence of residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection among Polish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). (2) Methods: The study included 426 individuals with MS treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12 Polish MS centers. The data were collected through to 31 May 2021. The information included demographics, specific MS characteristics, course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and residual (general and neurological) symptoms lasting more than four and 12 weeks after the initial infection. The results were obtained using maximum likelihood estimates for odds ratio and logistic regression. (3) Results: A total of 44.84% patients with MS reported symptoms lasting between four and 12 weeks after the initial infection; 24.41% people had symptoms that resolved up to 12 weeks, and 20.42% patients had symptoms that lasted over 12 weeks. The most common symptoms were: fatigue, disturbance of concentration, attention, and memory, cognitive complaints, and headache. None of the DMTs were predisposed to the development of residual symptoms after the initial infection. A total of 11.97% of patients had relapse three months prior or after SARS-CoV-2 infection. (4) Conclusion: Almost half of individuals with MS treated with different DMTs had residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. None of the DMTs raised the probability of developing post-acute COVID symptoms.

COVID-19 and the risk of CNS demyelinating diseases: A systematic review

“…Fifteen case reports and case series reported the occurrence of MS relapse/pseudo-relapse or the onset of a first demyelinating event consistent with MS or CIS in 19 patients ( 57 , 63 , 65 – 69 , 76 – 79 , 81 , 82 , 84 , 86 ). Twelve observational case series and cohort studies documented the occurrence of relapses or pseudo-relapses among patients with a known diagnosis of MS and confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 ( 58 – 61 , 64 , 71 – 75 , 83 , 85 ). Collectively, 54 relapses and 20 pseudo-relapses were reported in 804 patients (6.7 and 2.5%, respectively).…”

“…The remaining 455 MS patients treated with DMTs (73%) were reported in larger cohorts in which some people were not treated. The information regarding relapses in these cohorts was not stratified between treated and untreated patients ( 61 , 75 ).…”

“…Most MS/CIS cases received treatment with IVMP 1 gram for 3–5 days ( 57 , 61 , 65 , 68 , 76 , 77 , 79 , 80 , 82 ) and had a favorable outcome ( 57 , 65 , 68 , 77 – 82 ). Treatment of pseudo-relapses was primarily focused on COVID-19 management, with return to baseline neurological status upon infection recovery ( 63 , 69 ).…”

Neurological consequences of COVID-19

“…Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are theoretically more susceptible to infections related to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) [ 96 , 97 ]. Particular DMTs pose various levels of risk according to their mechanisms of action.…”

Impact of policy regulations on the functioning of hospitals in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative analysis

“…The effectiveness of the implementation of decisions taken in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 was directly related to the development of the epidemic in Poland [Czarnowska et al, 2021], and the rapid spread of infected individuals had a negative impact on the quality of basic health services provided by medical facilities. The statistics included in the timeline of events presented in Table 1 illustrate the impact of the pandemic on the day-to-day workings of the hospital environment in the Silesian Voivodeship, and additionally offer a simultaneous indication of the areas of health care that were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.…”