Can coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) trigger exacerbation of multiple sclerosis? A retrospective study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102947
• Publication Date: 2021-04-14T04:02:39Z
• Authors: Mahdi Barzegar; Saeed Vaheb; Omid Mirmosayyeb; Alireza Afshari-S...; Nasim Nehzat; Vahid Shaygannejad
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Recurrence; SARS-CoV-2; Commentary; COVID-19; Humans; Retrospective Studies; 3. Good health

The effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the risk of relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been unknown. In this retrospective study of 41 relapsing-remitting MS patients, number of relapses in pre-defined at risk-period (ARP) was compared with the previous two years. During the previous two years, a total of 32 attacks was reported, which 5 (15.6%) were during the at-risk period. After adjusting for age and sex, there was an increased risk of attack during ARP compared to the previous two years (RR: 2.566, 95%CI: 1.075-6.124, P=0.034). Our preliminary study suggested that COVID-19 can trigger exacerbation of MS.