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An analysis of main symptoms of COVID-19 in MS patients and related risk factors
Multiple Sclerosis Journal ; 27(2 SUPPL):320-321, 2021.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1496039
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

MS patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 disease may present with a wide pattern of symptoms, not always suggestive of the severity of infection. A recent study has shown that main symptoms of Covid-19 can be grouped in seven different clusters. Risk and protective factors for their occurrence in MS patients has never been investigated.

Objectives:

To identify the most common symptoms of Covid-19 that are part of specific clusters in MS patients and evaluate all factors associated with their manifestation.

Methods:

As part of the MuSC-19 Italian project, all data were extracted from a dedicated web-based platform that allows researchers to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on people affected by MS. After having tested the degree of agreement between different types of symptoms (Cohen's k), univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify predicting factors for each group.

Results:

1554 MS patients with confirmed Covid-19 and presenting at least one symptom referred to a specific cluster were analyzed. Patients presented nearly three groups of symptoms (mean 2.8). The most common include fever/chills/rigor/fatigue/ cough (87%), followed by ageusia/anosmia (46%). Smoking habit was the most confirmed risk factor for developing a wide range of symptoms common cold-like symptoms (OR1.6, 95%CI1.3- 2.1;p<0.001), joint and muscle pain (OR1.3, 95%CI1.1-1.7;p=0.037), gastrointestinal problems (OR1.3, 95%CI 1.1-1.7;p = 0.029), and loss of smell/taste (OR1.4, 95%CI 1.07-1.72;p=0.013). Smoking was confirmed also as risk factor for increasing the number of symptoms (OR1.5, 95%CI1.2-1.8;p<0.001), together with alcohol use (OR1.25, 95%CI1.1-1.5;p=0.021) and with assumption of anti-CD20 therapies (OR1.7, 95%CI1.2-2.5;p=0.004). Males have a lower risk for developing a major number of symptoms (OR0.8, 95%CI0.6 - 0.9;p=0.006). Finally, a lower EDSS was associated to a slight increment of symptoms, probably due to an already underlying presence of some common symptoms in most critical MS patients, which consequently were not reported (OR0.9, 95%CI0.8-0.9;p=0.005).

Conclusions:

Knowing possible risk factors and modifying some lifestyle behaviors might minimize the occurrence of Covid-19 symptoms. Anyway, further studies are needed for confirming these findings, and an additional follow up study on the presence of persistent symptoms after apparent Covid-19 resolution may help to better understand all possible risk factors.

Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article