TY - JOUR
AU - Fernandes, Peter M.
AU - O'Neill, Martin
AU - Kearns, Patrick K. A.
AU - Pizzo, Sinforosa
AU - Watters, Chrissie
AU - Baird, Stuart
AU - MacDougall, Niall J.J.
AU - Hunt, David P.J. 
PY - 2020
DA - November
TI - Impact of the first COVID-19 pandemic wave on the Scottish Multiple Sclerosis Register population
JO - Wellcome Open research
VL - 5
DO - https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16349.1
AB - Background: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major current concern, in particular the risk of death. Here we describe the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 infections (Mar 2020-July 2020) on the Scottish MS Register (SMSR) population, a cohort of 4702 individuals with MS, all newly diagnosed in the past decade.Methods: We established a clinician alert system, linking the SMSR with the Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS). This allows identification of patients within this cohort who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. The SMSR was also linked to death records from National Records Scotland.Results: Of 4702 people with MS, 246 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR tests were performed, of which 17 were positive. The proportion of positive tests were similar to the general Scotland population (Observed PCR confirmed cases = 17, expected = 17.5, O/E = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.60 – 1.56,p=.90). Between 1stMarch – 31stJuly 2020 12 individuals on the SMSR died, 5 of which were linked to COVID-19 (1 PCR confirmed, 4 clinical diagnoses without PCR confirmation). This number of COVID-19-related deaths was higher than expected (observed deaths = 5, expected deaths = 1.2, O/E = 4.03, 95% CI = 1.48 – 8.94,p=.01). All COVID-19-related deaths in the SMSR occurred in individuals with advanced disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale ≥7), and no deaths occurred in patients receiving disease modifying therapy (DMT) therapies.Conclusion: In this nationally comprehensive cohort of MS patients diagnosed in Scotland within the past 10 years, we observed similar rates of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general Scottish population, but a small number of excess COVID-19 related deaths. These deaths occurred in individuals with advanced disability who were not receiving DMTs.
PB - Wellcome Trust
UR - https://publichealthscotland.scot/id/18537
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
ER