AAN 2021 | The impact of COVID-19 in the UK MS Register COVID-19 prospective cohort study

Afagh Garjani, MD, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK, outlines the findings of a prospective cohort study assessing COVID-19 recovery in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The UK MS Register COVID-19 study enrolled patients with MS and collected data on COVID-19 infection fortnightly. Patients who reported COVID-19 were followed up throughout their recovery. Of 391 patients with available follow-up data, most made a full recovery, with a median disease duration of 10 days. Persistent symptoms for more than 12 weeks were seen in around 12% of patients, with greater physical disability and anxiety prior to the pandemic predicting an increased likelihood of long COVID. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on MS was also assessed, with many patients showing an exacerbation of their disease and 20% showing new MS symptoms. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Annual Meeting.