NEURO NEWS

A severe Covid-19 infection requiring hospitalisation may be a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research from Örebro University and Örebro University Hospital in Sweden.

The study, led by Scott Montgomery, PhD, professor of clinical epidemiology at Örebro University, examined the records of all patients hospitalised with Covid-19 in Sweden between 2020 and 2022. The findings revealed that nearly 26 per 100,000 patients with serious Covid-19 went on to develop MS, more than double the risk compared to individuals without a Covid-19 diagnosis.

No increased risk of MS was found among people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, or received specialist care for the infection without hospitalisation.

“I want to make it clear that MS is an uncommon disease and very few people in this study had an MS diagnosis linked with Covid-19. Approximately 26 people with new-onset MS per 100,000 with serious Covid-19 is only 0.02%,” said Montgomery.

He also noted that the number of people diagnosed with MS following severe Covid-19 might increase over time. “It can take up to 10 to 20 years until an MS diagnosis following a relevant exposure to the brain or spinal cord. The extent to which serious Covid-19 is a cause of MS will become clearer in several years.”

Montgomery hopes the research will lead to earlier MS diagnosis for those affected, allowing them to receive treatment sooner. “Since the majority of people who were infected will not develop diseases such as MS, they should not worry. However, people with symptoms should seek medical advice. The earlier patients with MS are treated, the better quality of life they will have, because treatments delay the worsening of the disease.”

He emphasised the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe infections. The study highlights the potential long-term neurological consequences of severe Covid-19 and underscores the importance of early detection and prevention.