Researching COVID-19 in progressive MS requires a globally coordinated, multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach—perspectives from the International Progressive MS Alliance. Issue 2 (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaratin, Paola; Banwell, Brenda; Coetzee, Timothy; Comi, Giancarlo; Feinstein, Anthony; Hyde, Robert; Salvetti, Marco; Smith, Kathryn
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis journal, experimental, translational and clinical. Volume 8:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- progression -- COVID-19 pandemic -- multi-stakeholder agendas; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; 616.834
• DOI: 10.1177/20552173221099181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-2173

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of research for the health of our society and highlighted the need for stakeholders of the health research and care continuum to form a collaborative and interdependent ecosystem. Objective: With the world still reeling from waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and adapting to the vaccine rollout at widely different rates, the International Progressive MS Alliance (hereafter Alliance) organized a meeting (April 2021) to consider how the Covid-19 pandemic impacts the health and well-being of people with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: We invited the Alliance stakeholders and experts to present what they have learned about SARS-CoV-2 infection and progressive MS and to define future scientific priorities. Results: The meeting highlighted three priorities for additional focus: (1) the impact of Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) on the risk of COVID-19 and on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in people with progressive MS; (2) the long-term impact of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines on the biology of progressive MS; and (3) the impact on well-being of people with progressive MS. Conclusion: This paper's calls to action could represent a path toward a shared research agenda. Multi-stakeholder and long-term investigations will be required to drive and evolve such an agenda.