COVID-19 and MS: What We Currently Know

COVID-19 Special Edition, Issue 1

COVID-19 and MS: What We Currently Know

Editor's note:

Our knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic grows on a daily basis. The content of this eMultiple Sclerosis Review Special Edition is a snapshot in time, describing “What We Currently Know” at the time the audio interviews were recorded. While we have been able to update portions of the written transcripts in this issue prior to publication, some statements in the pre-recorded audio interviews may no longer be fully accurate. We apologize for any confusion these changes may cause.

In this issue:

How has the COVID-19 pandemic limited multiple sclerosis care? How accurate is routine tele-monitoring? Do we know how disease modifying therapies affect risks from the virus? What about the effects of DMTs on the vaccines? What do clinicians need to help them provide the safest and most effective care?

What do we currently know?

In this interactive newsletter issue, eMultipleSclerosis Review Program Director Dr. Michael Kornberg from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine analyzes the current data. Then, with guest experts reporting from the field, he discusses how “what we currently know” can directly affect practice.

Learning objectives:

Describe how critical aspects of MS care, including disease monitoring, DMT safety evaluations, and neurologist/multidisciplinary services, can be continued safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Describe the current evidence regarding the risks posed by MS disease-modifying therapies with regard to susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19.
Detail the evidence and available guidelines related to COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy in MS patients treated with or without disease-modifying therapies.

Authors:

Michael Kornberg, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Mitzi Williams, MD

CEO & Founder/Neurologist & MS Specialist
Joi Life Wellness Group
Smyrna, GA

Anne H. Cross, MD

Professor of Neurology, Section Head of Neuroimmunology
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO

Jaime Imitola, MD

Department of Neurology, MS Center at UConn Health
University of Connecticut
Director of Division of Multiple Scerlosis/Neurology
Farmington, CT

Guest Faculty Disclosures

Dr. Williams has disclosed that she has received consulting fees from Biogen Idec, Celgene, EMD Serono, Genentech, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, and Novartis AG.

Dr. Cross has disclosed that she has received consulting fees from Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Greenwich Biosciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Novaris AG. She has received honoraria from Genentech, Inc and performed contracted research for EMD Serono and Genentech, Inc.

Dr. Imitola has disclosed that he has performed contracted research for Biogen Idec and Novartis AG.

Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses

The authors indicated they referenced the unapproved/unlabeled use of rituximab, monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 vaccines.

Program Directors:

Michael Kornberg, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Pavan Bhargava, MBBS, MD

Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD

Lisa Fox, PA-C, MPAS

Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD

Guest Faculty Disclosures:

Dr. Williams has disclosed that she has received consulting fees from Biogen Idec, Celgene, EMD Serono, Genentech, Inc., Genzyme Corporation, and Novartis AG.

Dr. Imitola has disclosed that he has performed contracted research for Biogen Idec and Novartis AG.

Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses:

The authors indicated they referenced the unapproved/unlabeled use of rituximab, monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 vaccines.

Length of activity:

1.0 hour Physicians
1.0 contact hour Nurses

Launch date: March 31, 2021
Expiration date: March 30, 2023

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