Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Questions have arisen regarding how autoimmune diseases may increase COVID-19 risk and severity in addition to the possible risks posed by disease-modifying therapies. North American clinicians submit patient data to the COVID-19 Infections in MS (COViMS) registry.

As of December 12, 2020, 1626 patients with MS were reported from more than 150 practices. Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses were present in 83%, with the remainder rated as being highly suspected. Neurologic symptoms were reported in 9%. Other symptoms were similar to those found in the general population. Of the 1626 patients, 26% visited an emergency department, 20% were hospitalized, 7% had pneumonia, 6% were admitted to the ICU, and 4% required ventilation. Risk factors…