Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32957057›Full record

ArticleMultiple sclerosis and related disorders2020

Evaluating the perspective of patients with MS and related conditions on their DMT in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in one MS centre in Australia.

Nabil Seery, Vivien Li, Ai-Lan Nguyen, Izanne Roos, Katherine A Buzzard, Roberts Atvars, Nicola Taylor, Kelsey Tunnell, John Carey, Chris Dwyer and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Multiple sclerosis and related disorders, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Nabil SeeryMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Vivien LiMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Ai-Lan NguyenMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Clinical Outcomes Research Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Izanne RoosMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Clinical Outcomes Research Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Katherine A BuzzardMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Eastern Health Clinical School, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Roberts AtvarsMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Nicola TaylorDay Medical Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Kelsey TunnellDay Medical Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
John CareyDay Medical Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Chris DwyerMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Hasini Fernandoa Lisa TaylorMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Josephine BakerMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Mark P MarriottMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Trevor J KilpatrickMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Tomas KalincikMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Clinical Outcomes Research Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
Mastura MonifMelbourne MS Centre, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; MS and Neuroimmunology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic, Australia. Electronic address: mastura.Monif@mh.org.au.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivePatients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and on disease modifying therapies (DMTs) that can be immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory form a special group where risk of continuation of DMT needs to be taken into account with risk of contracting Covid-19. This concept can pose a degree of anxiety for patients as well as neurologists. We aimed to evaluate patient perspectives regarding the use of Natalizumab and anti-CD20 therapies (Rituximab and Ocrelizumab) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

methodscross-sectional study conducted via voluntary survey filled in by patients with MS and related disorders receiving their infusional treatment in one MS centre in Australia, exploring their concerns regarding their therapy, their therapy and COVID-19, precautions undertaken in response to the pandemic, and factors impacting their decision-making.

results170 patients completed the survey. Of patients on Natalizumab, the majority had either no or mild concern regarding their DMT and COVID-19, and of patients on B-cell depleting therapies, again, the majority had no or mild concern, though a slightly higher proportion had a moderate level of concern. Asked to delineate their concerns, an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 was more commonly conveyed than MS-specific factors or poor outcomes pertaining to COVID-19 if contracted, by patients in both groups. Conversely, being invited to specifically consider the possibility of contracting COVID-19 or experience a relapse of MS, almost half of the cohort rated both of equal of concern. More than half of the cohort were self-isolating more stringently than general government advice and government-related resources followed by information provided by patient's neurologist where the commonest means of information to guide decision making.

conclusionsWhilst a large proportion of patients had some concern regarding the impact of their DMT on COVID-19, whether on their risk of contracting COVID-19 or a theoretical risk for more severe disease, the overall level of concern in most cases was at most mild. Patients on B-cell depleting therapies were more inclined to express a higher level of concern. A similar concern was ascribed to a risk of a relapse or worsening MS symptoms compared to the risk of contracting COVID-19. Such attitudes may underscore a willingness of patients to continue their DMT where benefits outweigh risks during future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indexed as

COVID-19 Drug TreatmentAdultAgedAntibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedAustraliaFemaleHumansImmunosuppressive AgentsMaleMiddle AgedMultiple SclerosisNatalizumabRituximabSARS-CoV-2Antibodies, Monoclonal, HumanizedImmunosuppressive AgentsNatalizumabocrelizumabRituximabCOVID-19Multiple sclerosisNatalizumabOcrelizumabPandemic

Identifiers

PMID32957057
PMCPMC7493747

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.