COVID-19 and treatment strategies in MS [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of COVID-19 on treatment strategies in people with multiple sclerosis
IRAS ID
284462
Contact name
Gavin Giovannoni
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
COVID-19 is the pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus two (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop a self-limiting illness, 20% require hospitalisation and about 5% require critical care. The immune system provides vital defence against viral infections. This has led to concern for people taking immunosuppressive drugs. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major neurological disease that causes disability and can require hospitalisation for uncontrolled disease activity. MS is currently managed with immunomodulatory drugs which can be mildly, moderately or highly immunosuppressive. Infections are more common in MS patients treated with an immunosuppressive drug. This has led neurologists to recommend stopping, delaying or altering their treatment plan in a pragmatic or non-pragmatic way during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is understandable that a conservative, cautious approach has been adopted when considering treatments, given the paucity of knowledge surrounding SARS-Cov2 biology when COVID-19 first emerged. However, it is important to recognize the risks of poorly controlled MS may outweigh the perceived risks from COVID-19. Hence, we want to assess in this study what the nature and impact of COVID-19 has been on treatment plans of MS patients monitored at Barts Health NHS Trust.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0174
Date of REC Opinion
19 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion