ABSTRACT
Background: There is concern amongst the MS community regarding increased risk of COVID-19 infection in patients on Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs). Guidance from the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) recommends to continue most oral DMTs during the pandemic. Objectives: To identify number of patients on oral DMTs in a single centre who reported COVID-19 symptoms. To identify how this compares to national infection rate, whether there was a link to lymphocyte counts prior to infection and how many patients stopped or interrupted treatment. Methods: Patients on oral DMTs (dimethyl fumarate (DMF), teriflunomide (TF) & fingolimod (FING)) were identified through a local database. The pharmacy team called these patients to advise on DMT monitoringduring the pandemic. Patients were also asked if they had experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 infection, had been tested, or had stopped treatment . Recent lymphocyte counts were obtained. Results: 501 patients on oral DMTs were identified (14 on TF, 169 on FING, 318 on DMF). 50% of these were contacted. (DMF=174, FING=71, TF=10). The average age of those on treatment was 45, average EDSS 2.2, and average time on DMT 3.7 years. Of those asked 90% (229) reported that they had not exprienced COVID-19 symptoms. 10% (26) reported that they had experienced COVID- 19 symptoms (3 on TF, 8 on FING, 15 on DMF). According to a recent study by the UK Office of National statistics, of those individuals providing blood samples in the UK, 7% tested positive for antibodies to COVID-19. Of those who reported symptoms the last recorded lymphocyte counts were all within accepted ranges, with a mean of 1.2 (TF 2.0, DMF 1.5, FING 0.4). One patient taking DMF died due to COVID-19. Further data will be presented on the average lymphocyte counts in those who did not report symptoms, number of patients who went on to be tested for COVID-19 and the number who stopped or interrupted treatment. Conclusions: Results present real world data on COVID-19 infection in patients on oral DMTs for MS and how these relate to lymphocyte count and infections rates in general population.