COVID-۱۹ Infection and Seropositivity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Guilan in ۲۰۲۱

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. COVID-۱۹ has presented a significant challenge to the care providers of patients with MS. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of COVID-۱۹ infection and its seropositivity in MS patients in Guilan, Iran, in ۲۰۲۱. Materials & Methods: In this analytical-cross-sectional study, all patients with relapsing-remitting MS registered in the Guilan MS Association with an expanded disability status scale of less than ۵ who were referred for evaluation participated in the study. Information related to the clinical and serological symptoms of COVID-۱۹ infection, changes in drug use, and the occurrence of new attacks were collected. Serological results of COVID-۱۹ (IgG) among them were registered. Results: In total, ۲۶۰ patients with MS (۷۸.۸% women, and ۲۱.۲% men) with a Mean±SD age of ۳۸.۷±۹.۹ years, and a Mean±SD duration of MS of ۸.۹±۴.۹ years were investigated. The most commonly used drugs were Dimethyl fumarate, Interferon, and Rituximab, respectively. Thirty-three patients (۱۲.۶%) had a clinical COVID-۱۹ infection, of which ۳۲ people had a mild and only one had a critical infection. Eight patients (۱.۳%) had positive COVID-۱۹ IgG tests. No significant relationship was found between the COVID-۱۹ infection with the type of medication, medication change, clinical attack of MS, and co-morbidities (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: A few patients had positive COVID-۱۹ IgG tests and clinical COVID-۱۹ infection. The vast majority had mild disease, and the clinical attack was not related to COVID-۱۹ infection.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Multiple sclerosis , Infection