Impact of disease-modifying drugs on the severity of COVID-19 infection in multiple sclerosis patients

Recent evidence suggested that neurological manifestations occur in patients with a severe form of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). On the basis of this issue, neurologists are very concerned about patients with neurological disorders, especially multiple sclerosis (MS), as consumers of immunosuppressive or immune-modulating drugs. Therefore, the administration of proper disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in MS patients is critical during the pandemic status. On the one hand, both the autoimmune diseases and immunosuppressive drugs increase the risk of infection due to impairment in the immune system, and on the other hand, postponing of MS treatment has serious consequences on the central nervous system. In the present study, we discussed recent literature about the effect of DMTs administration on the severity of COVID-19 in the MS patients. Overall, it seems that DMTs do not provoke the COVID-19 infection in the MS patients by declining immune responses and cytokine storm. However, as a precaution, the supervision of a neurologist is highly recommended.

Automated summary

Neurological manifestations can occur in severe cases of COVID-19, leading neurologists to pay special attention to patients with neurological disorders like MS. Administering proper DMTs is critical for MS patients during the pandemic as it can help reduce immune responses.