SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis

The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of new neurologic symptoms or symptom recrudescence among PwMS who received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, characterize outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and assess MS-specific determinants of vaccine hesitancy. Methods Online surveys that assessed incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status/type, reasons for vaccine deferral, and postvaccination symptoms were administered to PwMS. Medical charts were reviewed for consenting respondents. Associations between infection, postvaccination outcomes, and clinical characteristics were compared using 2 tests, 2-sample t tests, and adjusted logistic regression models. Results In total, 292 of 333 respondents were vaccinated, of whom 58% reported postvaccination side effects, most commonly among mRNA vaccine recipients (p = 0.02), younger patients (p < 0.01), and people with relapsing-remitting MS (p = 0.03). Twelve percent endorsed recrudescence of existing MS symptoms, while 3% endorsed new neurologic symptoms postvaccination. Sixty-two participants reported SARS-CoV-2 infection since the start of the pandemic, more frequent in younger individuals (1-year odds ratio [OR] = 0.958, 10-year OR = 0.649, p < 0.01). Neither disease-modifying therapy nor B-cell therapies specifically were associated with vaccine side effects, neurologic symptoms, or SARS-CoV-2 infection. Twenty-one percent of unvaccinated cited a desire for provider guidance before vacci...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: COVID-19, Multiple sclerosis Research Source Type: research