Reader response: COVID-19 in MS: Initial observations from the Pacific Northwest
KhicharShubhakaran, Senior Professor and Head of Department of Neurology, Dr S.N. Medical College (Jodhpur, India)
Submitted September 06, 2020
This is a nice initial study from Bowen et al.1 Since the beginning of the pandemic, there was great concern about the management of autoimmune neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis, neuromyetlitis optica spectrum disorders, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune encephalitis myositis, and others. Until now, there has been no clear evidence that these disorders are being exacerbated, that patients are infected more compared to the normal population, or even that there has been a report of significant increase in new cases precipitation in this pandemic.2
We have not found any significant evidence of exacerbation of pre-existing autoimmune disorders. There is no evidence of increased infection risk of COVID-19 in our observation. Some patients who are coming for follow up treatment are being screened for infection and are found to be positive for COVID-19, though without exacerbation of the pre-existing illness of even constitutional symptoms of influenza-like illness.
It is a matter of pride to the treating neurology community and institutions that the things related to the pandemic are well in check due to the precautions and other measures.
Bowen JD, Brink J, Brown TR, et al. COVID-19 in MS: Initial observations from the Pacific Northwest. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020;7:e783.
Dalakas MC. Guillain-Barré syndrome: The first documented COVID-19-triggered autoimmune neurologic disease: More to come with myositis in the offing. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020;7:e781.
This is a nice initial study from Bowen et al.1 Since the beginning of the pandemic, there was great concern about the management of autoimmune neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis, neuromyetlitis optica spectrum disorders, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune encephalitis myositis, and others. Until now, there has been no clear evidence that these disorders are being exacerbated, that patients are infected more compared to the normal population, or even that there has been a report of significant increase in new cases precipitation in this pandemic.2
We have not found any significant evidence of exacerbation of pre-existing autoimmune disorders. There is no evidence of increased infection risk of COVID-19 in our observation. Some patients who are coming for follow up treatment are being screened for infection and are found to be positive for COVID-19, though without exacerbation of the pre-existing illness of even constitutional symptoms of influenza-like illness.
It is a matter of pride to the treating neurology community and institutions that the things related to the pandemic are well in check due to the precautions and other measures.
Disclosure
For disclosures, please contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
References