COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis: The Dutch experience. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loonstra, Floor C; Hoitsma, Elske; van Kempen, Zoé LE; Killestein, Joep; Mostert, Jop P
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 26:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1256
• Page End: 1260
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- COVID-19 -- disease-modifying treatment -- lymphocytes; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458520942198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Here, we provide an extensive overview of all reported COVID-19 cases in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the Netherlands between 27 February and 9 June 2020, gathered by the Dutch MS Taskforce of the Netherlands Society of Neurology. A total of 86 MS patients were reported, 43 of whom tested positive for COVID-19. Of 43 patients who tested positive, 22 patients were hospitalized. Three intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and four deaths were reported. Our findings show no apparent difference in disease-modifying treatment (DMT) use and COVID-19 disease course in Dutch MS patients. In addition, a clear link between low lymphocyte count and severe disease was not observed.