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Multiple sclerosis and COVID-19: Assessing risk perception, patient behaviors and access to disease-modifying therapies.
Beesley, R; Cauchi, M; Davies, L; Upcott, M; Norton, E; Loveless, S; Anderson, V; Wynford-Thomas, R; Pickersgill, T P; Uzochukwu, E; Wardle, M; Robertson, N P; Tallantyre, E; Willis, M D.
  • Beesley R; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Cauchi M; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Davies L; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Upcott M; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Norton E; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Loveless S; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Anderson V; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Wynford-Thomas R; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Pickersgill TP; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Uzochukwu E; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Wardle M; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Robertson NP; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Tallantyre E; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
  • Willis MD; Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. Electronic address: willismd@cardiff.ac.uk.
Mult Scler Relat Disord ; 68: 104121, 2022 Aug 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2036391
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, global healthcare systems have had to rapidly adapt. People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) were required to make decisions about their individual risk and consequent work and social behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate risk perception and patterns of shielding behavior amongst pwMS at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact on patients' employment and access to disease modifying therapies (DMTs).

METHODS:

Postal surveys were sent to 1690 people within a UK population-based MS cohort during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were surveyed on (i) perceived vulnerability to COVID-19; (ii) isolation behavior; (iii) interruption to DMT; (iv) employment status; (v) level of satisfaction with their current working arrangement.

RESULTS:

Responses were received from 1000 pwMS. Two thirds of patients reported isolating at home during the first wave of the pandemic. This behavior was associated with increased age (p<0.0001), higher disability (p<0.0001) and use of high-efficacy DMTs (p = 0.02). The majority of patients reported feeling vulnerable (82%) with perceived vulnerability associated with higher EDSS (p<0.0001) and receiving a high-efficacy DMT (p = 0.04). Clinician-defined risk was associated with shielding behavior, with those at high-risk more likely to self-isolate/shield (p<0.0001). Patients on high-efficacy DMTs were more likely to have an interruption to their treatment (50%) during the first wave of the pandemic. Most pwMS experienced a change to their working environment, and most were satisfied with the adjustments.

CONCLUSION:

This study highlights the risk perception, social behavioral practices and changes to treatment experienced by pwMS during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a large, well-described UK cohort. The results may help inform management of pwMS during future pandemic waves.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Mult Scler Relat Disord Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.msard.2022.104121

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Mult Scler Relat Disord Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.msard.2022.104121