Vaccine-breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in people with multiple sclerosis and related conditions: An observational study by the New York COVID-19 Neuro-Immunology Consortium (NYCNIC-2).

BACKGROUND: People with MS (PwMS) and related conditions treated with anti-CD20 and S1P modulating therapies exhibit attenuated immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. It remains unclear whether humoral/T-cell responses are valid surrogates for postvaccine immunity. OBJECTIVE: To characterize COVID-19 vaccine-breakthrough infections in this population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study of PwMS and related CNS autoimmune conditions with confirmed breakthrough infections. Postvaccination antibody response, disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) at the time of vaccination, and DMT at the time of infection were assessed. RESULTS: Two hundred nine patients had 211 breakthrough infections. Use of anti-CD20 agents at time of infection was associated with increased infection severity (p = 0.0474, odds ratio (OR) = 5.923) for infections during the Omicron surge and demonstrated a trend among the total cohort (p = 0.0533). However, neither use of anti-CD20 agents at the time of vaccination nor postvaccination antibody response was associated with hospitalization risk. Anti-CD20 therapies were relatively overrepresented compared to a similar prevaccination-era COVID-19 cohort. CONCLUSION: Use of anti-CD20 therapies during vaccine breakthrough COVID-19 infection is associated with higher severity. However, the attenuated postvaccination humoral response associated with anti-CD20 therapy use during vaccination may not drive increased infection severity. Further studies are necessary to determine if this attenuated vaccine response may be associated with an increased likelihood of breakthrough infection.

Feasibility trial of a telehealth support group intervention to reduce anxiety in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is common among persons with MS (PwMS), but widely accepted treatments are lacking. Group-based interventions delivered via telehealth are an accessible treatment option requiring clinical trial evidence to support feasibility and initial efficacy. We conducted a pilot feasibility trial of an online support group intervention to reduce anxiety in PwMS. METHODS: A non-randomized, parallel arm clinical trial was conducted. A total of 31 PwMS were enrolled: 20 completed a 12-week telehealth-delivered support group intervention and 11 were assigned to a survey-only control group. Primary feasibility outcomes were adherence and completion rates. Primary efficacy outcome was anxiety, secondary outcomes were depression, loneliness, distress, self-efficacy, stress, and quality of life. RESULTS: Twenty-six participants completed the study. Intervention group adherence (75%) and completion (85%) rates were acceptable. Results indicated a medium size between-group effect, suggesting a greater reduction in anxiety in the intervention group compared to the control group [U = 39.50, p = 0.045, r = 0.39]. No group differences in other outcomes were observed. CONCLUSION: A telehealth-delivered support group intervention appears feasible for further study and shows initial efficacy for the reduction of anxiety in PwMS.

Novel Agents for Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis.

Since 2004, five drugs with new mechanisms of action have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The expanded armamentarium of treatment options offers new opportunities for improved disease control and increased tolerability of medications, and also presents new safety concerns and monitoring requirements with which physicians must familiarize themselves. We review each of the newly approved agents-natalizumab, fingolimod, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and alemtuzumab-with regard to their mechanism of action, clinical trial data, safety and tolerability concerns, and monitoring requirements. We also review available data for promising agents that are currently in late-phase clinical trials, including daclizumab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab.

Successful treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with recombinant interleukin-7 and maraviroc in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rapidly progressive, often fatal viral infection of the brain without a known treatment. Recently, case reports have demonstrated survival from PML with therapies that improve cell-mediated immunity, including interleukin-7 (IL-7) or the chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) antagonist, maraviroc (MVC). We present the first known case of a patient with PML successfully treated with both IL-7 and MVC. A 63-year-old woman presented to our center with a 6-month history of progressive left hemiparesis. Extensive laboratory testing was negative except for a severe CD4 lymphocytopenia (140/µL). Serial brain MRIs done prior to presentation revealed an enlarging, non-enhancing T2-hyperintense lesion in the right fronto-parietal white matter. PML was confirmed through detection of the JC virus by PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid and by brain biopsy, and she was started on mirtazapine and mefloquine. She continued to deteriorate and was then given a course of recombinant IL-7. Though she remained clinically stable after IL-7 treatment and serum JCV PCR decreased from 1000 copies/mL to a nadir of 238 copies/mL, a repeat MRI 3 months later showed lesion enlargement. MVC was then initiated. Now, more than 2 years after initial presentation, she remains stable and serum JCV PCR is undetectable. This case demonstrates successful treatment of PML in a patient with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia and highlights the potential benefits of IL-7 and MVC in the treatment of PML. Treatment with IL-7 and MVC led to clinical stability and improvement in JC virus titers.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in neuromyelitis optica patients hospitalized for acute relapse.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients may be at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) not only due to ambulatory disability but also due to systemic autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms altering the hemostatic balance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of VTE in NMOSD versus multiple sclerosis (MS) patients hospitalized for acute relapses. METHODS: Hospital admissions for MS or NMOSD exacerbations were retrospectively identified. Demographics and medical history were recorded. The relationship between visit diagnosis and presence of VTE within 6 weeks of relapse onset was assessed by univariate logistic regression. A multivariate model evaluated the relationship between diagnosis, age, race, gender, body mass index (BMI), disease modifying therapy use, oral corticosteroid use, oral contraceptive use, smoking, length of stay (LOS), and ambulatory status on VTE risk. RESULTS: A total of 30 NMOSD patients had 55 hospitalizations; 179 MS patients had 264 hospitalizations. Six NMOSD patients and one MS patient had VTE. NMOSD visits compared to MS visits had an odds ratio (OR) of VTE of 32.2 ( p = 0.002). NMOSD was more likely to be associated with VTE (OR = 17.4; p = 0.01) controlling for age, LOS, and ambulatory disability. CONCLUSION: NMOSD may be a risk factor for VTE. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm this risk and determine implications for prophylaxis.

Astrocytic TYMP and VEGFA drive blood-brain barrier opening in inflammatory central nervous system lesions.

In inflammatory central nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier is a key event in lesion pathogenesis, predisposing to oedema, excitotoxicity, and ingress of plasma proteins and inflammatory cells. Recently, we showed that reactive astrocytes drive blood-brain barrier opening, via production of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Here, we now identify thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP; previously known as endothelial cell growth factor 1, ECGF1) as a second key astrocyte-derived permeability factor, which interacts with VEGFA to induce blood-brain barrier disruption. The two are co-induced NFκB1-dependently in human astrocytes by the cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), and inactivation of Vegfa in vivo potentiates TYMP induction. In human central nervous system microvascular endothelial cells, VEGFA and the TYMP product 2-deoxy-d-ribose cooperatively repress tight junction proteins, driving permeability. Notably, this response represents part of a wider pattern of endothelial plasticity: 2-deoxy-d-ribose and VEGFA produce transcriptional programs encompassing angiogenic and permeability genes, and together regulate a third unique cohort. Functionally, each promotes proliferation and viability, and they cooperatively drive motility and angiogenesis. Importantly, introduction of either into mouse cortex promotes blood-brain barrier breakdown, and together they induce severe barrier disruption. In the multiple sclerosis model experimental autoimmune encephalitis, TYMP and VEGFA co-localize to reactive astrocytes, and correlate with blood-brain barrier permeability. Critically, blockade of either reduces neurologic deficit, blood-brain barrier disruption and pathology, and inhibiting both in combination enhances tissue preservation. Suggesting importance in human disease, TYMP and VEGFA both localize to reactive astrocytes in multiple sclerosis lesion samples. Collectively, these data identify TYMP as an astrocyte-derived permeability factor, and suggest TYMP and VEGFA together promote blood-brain barrier breakdown.

Inflammatory vaginitis in four B-cell suppressed women with Multiple Sclerosis.

B-cell depleting therapies are effective in multiple sclerosis (MS) and are widely used (Hauser et al., 2017). Inflammatory vaginitis (IV), characterized by unexplained vaginal symptoms including mucopurulent discharge, pain, irritation, and dyspareunia, has been reported in one MS patient on ocrelizumab (Filikci and Jensen, 2022), and to be present in 3.5 % of women on rituximab for autoimmune diseases (Yockey et al., 2021). We report here four cases of IV in B cell depleted women with MS. B-cell reconstitution was temporally associated with improvement of IV symptoms. Further investigation and vigilance for this potential treatment emergent adverse event affecting sexual and reproductive health of women with MS is needed.

A 53-year-old woman with a rapidly progressive, non-enhancing left frontotemporal lesion.

Fifty-three-year-old woman presented with chronic, episodic headache.

Efficacy of Dimethyl Fumarate in Young Adults with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Analysis of the DEFINE, CONFIRM, and ENDORSE Studies.

INTRODUCTION: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) showed favorable benefit-risk in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in phase 3 DEFINE and CONFIRM trials and in the ENDORSE extension study. Disease activity can differ in younger patients with MS compared with the overall population. METHODS: Randomized patients received DMF 240 mg twice daily or placebo (PBO; years 0-2 DEFINE/CONFIRM), then DMF (years 3-10; continuous DMF/DMF or PBO/DMF; ENDORSE); maximum follow-up (combined studies) was 13 years. This integrated post hoc analysis evaluated safety and efficacy of DMF in a subgroup of young adults aged 18-29 years. RESULTS: Of 1736 patients enrolled in ENDORSE, 125 were young adults, 86 treated continuously with DMF (DMF/DMF) and 39 received delayed DMF (PBO/DMF) in DEFINE/CONFIRM. Most (n = 116 [93%]) young adults completed DMF treatment in DEFINE/CONFIRM. Median (range) follow-up time in ENDORSE was 6.5 (2.0-10.0) years. Young adults entering ENDORSE who had been treated with DMF in DEFINE/CONFIRM had a model-based Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR; 95% CI) of 0.24 (0.16-0.35) vs. 0.56 (0.35-0.88) in PBO patients. ARR remained low in ENDORSE: 0.07 (0.01-0.47) at years 9-10 (DMF/DMF group). At year 10 of ENDORSE, EDSS scores were low in young adults: DMF/DMF, 1.9 (1.4); PBO/DMF, 2.4 (1.6). At ~ 7 years, the proportion of young adults with no confirmed disability progresion was 81% for DMF/DMF and 72% for PBO/DMF. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (SF-36 and EQ-5D) generally remained stable during ENDORSE. The most common adverse events (AEs) in young adults during ENDORSE were MS relapse (n = 53 [42%]). Most AEs were mild (n = 20 [23.3%], n = 7 [17.9%]) to moderate (n = 45 [52.3%], n = 23 [59.0%]) in the DMF/DMF and PBO/DMF groups, respectively. The most common serious AE (SAE) was MS relapse (n = 19 [15%]). CONCLUSION: The data support a favorable benefit-risk profile of DMF in young adults, as evidenced by well-characterized safety, sustained efficacy, and stable PROs. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: Clinical trials.gov, DEFINE (NCT00420212), CONFIRM (NCT00451451), and ENDORSE (NCT00835770).

Hypogonadism in men with multiple sclerosis: Prevalence and clinical associations.

It has been hypothesized that multiple sclerosis (MS) has hormonal influences, and testosterone may have anti-inflammatory functions in this context. Given prior reports of lower testosterone levels in men with MS in archival serum samples, we evaluated the prevalence of hypogonadism in the clinical setting and its association with disability in men with MS. Subjects were screened for symptoms of hypogonadism using a clinical instrument, and those with positive screens had total and free morning testosterone levels checked. Of the 64 subjects who were screened, 50 (78%) had positive results, and 46 (92%) had morning testosterone levels checked. Among the latter, 5 were found to have testosterone levels below lower limit of normal. Other than the expected inverse relation with BMI, testosterone did not correlate with demographic or disease related factors. Baseline testosterone did not predict risk of EDSS or T25-FW progression or future MRI activity.

Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in Neuroinflammatory Disease: Early Safety/Tolerability Data.

BACKGROUND: Patients with autoimmune disease and on immunotherapy were largely excluded from seminal anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials. This has led to significant vaccine hesitancy in patients with neuroinflammatory diseases (NID); including, but not limited to: multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), neurosarcoidosis and myelin oligodendrocyte antibody-mediated disease (MOG-AD). Data is urgently needed to help guide clinical care in the NID population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study evaluating adults with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of a neuroinflammatory disease (NID) and a neurologically asymptomatic control population. Participants were recruited from multiple academic centers participating in the MS Resilience to COVID-19 Collaborative study. We analyzed participant responses from a vaccine-specific questionnaire collected between February and May 2021. RESULTS: 1164 participants with NID and 595 controls completed the vaccine survey. Hesitancy rates were similar between NID and control groups (n = 134, 32.7% NID vs. n = 56, 30.6% control; p = 0.82). The most common reasons for hesitancy in NID participants were lack of testing in the autoimmune population and fear of demyelinating/neurologic events. Unvaccinated patients who had discussed vaccination with their doctor were less likely to be hesitant (n=184, 73.6% vs. n=83, 59.7%; p = 0.007). 634 NID patients and 332 controls had received at least one dose of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 at the time of survey completion. After adjusting for age, BMI, and comorbidities, there was no difference in self-reported side effects (SE) between groups with the first dose (n = 256, 42.2% NID vs. 141, 45.3% control; p = 0.20) or second dose (n = 246, 67.0% NID vs. n = 114, 64.8% control, p = 0.85) of the mRNA vaccines nor with the viral-vector vaccines (n = 6, 46% NID vs. n = 8, 66% control; p = 0.39). All reported SEs fell into the expected SE profile. There was no difference in report of new/recurrent neurologic symptoms (n = 110, 16.2% vaccinated vs. 71, 18.2% unvaccinated; p = 0.44) nor radiologic disease activity (n = 40, 5.9% vaccinated vs. n = 30, 7.6% unvaccinated) between vaccinated and unvaccinated NID participants. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in patient-reported vaccine side effects and no evidence of NID worsening after vaccination. Large-scale real-world evidence is needed for further validation.

Microaggressions and Psychological Health Among College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model of Rumination and Social Structure Beliefs.

Racial microaggressions are common experiences for students of color on college campuses. Given prior research connecting microaggressions to negative mental health outcomes, it is important to better understand the social context and process through which microaggressions are associated with poorer mental health. In addition, we put forth a psycho-sociological approach to microaggressions, integrating an attention to both individual psychology and broader social structure. Specifically, the present study investigated whether the indirect association of school/workplace microaggressions and internalizing symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) through problem-focused thoughts (a subset of ruminative thinking) differed as a function of horizontal and vertical dimensions of individualism and collectivism among a racially diverse sample of non-White college students (n = 549) from two universities in the USA. As hypothesized, problem-focused thoughts mediated the associations between school/workplace microaggressions and all three negative mental health symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of school/workplace microaggressions on psychological health through problem-focused thoughts was stronger in students with high levels of vertical individualism (i.e., autonomous but recognize/accept inequality among individuals), compared to students with low or average levels. Our findings suggest that students of color who endorse vertical individualism are at a relatively greater risk of negative mental health outcomes related to school/workplace microaggressions via problem-focused thoughts. Future research is needed to examine additional factors that may buffer or strengthen the pathways between microaggressions and negative mental health in students of color.

Evaluation of ocrelizumab in older progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Seminal trials evaluating anti-CD20 therapy in progressive MS primarily found benefit in younger, less-disabled patients with more inflammatory disease activity. The risks and benefits of ocrelizumab use in older patients with progressive froms of MS are not known. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed for patients older than 55 with primary or secondary progressive MS at the time of ocrelizumab initiation. Clinical endpoints from 2 years prior to anti-CD20 therapy served as a within-subject control. RESULTS: Data was reviewed for 56 patients older than the age of 55 at the time of ocrelizumab initiation. Of 37 patients with 2-years of follow up on ocrelizumab, 40%(n=15) experienced confirmed disability progression (CDP) while 60% (n=22) remained stable or improved. 24 patients had data available for the within-subject control; for these patients, median age was 67, baseline EDSS 6.3, and disease duration 20.5 years. Prior to anti-CD20 therapy, 58% (n=14) of patients remained stable and 42% (n=10) experienced CDP. After ocrelizumab initiation, 71% (n=17) remained stable and 29% (n=7) experienced CDP. There was no difference between CDP (p=0.54) or change in EDSS (p=0.09) between time periods. Ocrelizumab was well tolerated and no difference in infection rate was seen using the within-subject control. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in clinical endpoints for patients on ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy; however, we could not exclude a modest effect given our sample size. Larger trials are needed to evaluate ocrelizumab use in this understudied MS subpopulation.

Outcomes of COVID-19 infection in multiple sclerosis and related conditions: One-year pandemic experience of the multicenter New York COVID-19 Neuroimmunology Consortium (NYCNIC).

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and related conditions, and to determine predictors of these outcomes. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational cohort study of patients with MS or related CNS autoimmune disorders who developed confirmed or highly suspected COVID-19 infection from 2/1/2020 to 12/31/2020. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was hospitalization status due to COVID-19. Severity of infection was measured using a 4-point ordinal scale: 1. home care; 2. hospitalization without mechanical ventilation; 3. hospitalization and mechanical ventilation, and 4. death. RESULTS: Of 474 patients in the study, 63.3% had confirmed COVID-19 infection and 93.9% were diagnosed with an MS phenotype. Mean age was 45 ± 13 (mean±SD) years, 72% were female, and 86% were treated with a DMT at the time of infection. 58 patients (12.2%) were hospitalized. 24 patients (5.1%) were critically ill (requiring ICU care or outcome of death), of which 15 patients (3.2%) died. Higher neurological disability and older age independently predicted hospitalization. 85% (102/120) of patients with known antibody results not treated with anti-CD20 therapies were seropositive while only 39.5% (17/43) of patients treated with anti-CD20 demonstrated seropositivity (p < 0.0001). Only 25% (2/8) of patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 being treated with anti-CD20 therapies demonstrated seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological disability and older age independently predicted hospitalization due to COVID-19. Additionally, the results demonstrate that anti-CD20 therapies significantly blunt humoral responses post-infection, a finding that carries implications with regards to natural or vaccine-mediated immunity.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-mediated disease: The difficulty of predicting relapses.

BACKGROUND: While many patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-mediated disease (MOG-AD) will have a monophasic course, 30-80% of patients will relapse after the initial attack. It is not known which factors predict relapse. Here we describe our clinical experience with MOG-AD and evaluate for factors that correlate with relapsing disease. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multi-institutional study of 54 patients with MOG-AD, including 17 children and 37 adults. Mann-Whitney U and Fischer's Exact tests were used for comparisons and logistic regression for correlations. RESULTS: Incident attack phenotype included acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (15%), unilateral optic neuritis (ON; 39%), bilateral ON (24%), transverse myelitis (TM; 11%) and ON with TM (11%). Pediatric patients were more likely than adults to present with ADEM (p = .009) and less likely to present with unilateral ON (p = .04). 31 patients (57%) had a relapsing disease course, with time to first relapse of 8.2 months and median annualized relapse rate of 0.97 months. In 40% of patients (n = 22) the first relapse occurred following the withdrawal of treatment for the incident attack. 5 patients converted to seronegative at follow up, 2 of whom later relapsed. Logistic regression revealed no significant relationship between age, gender, race, presentation phenotype, antibody titer, or cerebrospinal fluid results with risk of relapse. For patients who started disease modifying therapy (DMT) prior to the first relapse (n = 11), 64% remained monophasic. 50% (n = 15) of patients on DMT continued to have disease activity, requiring treatment adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to predict which patients with MOG-AD will relapse. Research is needed to determine the optimal timing and choice of treatment.

Manifestations and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in neuroinflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To report initial results of a planned multicenter year-long prospective study examining the risk and impact of COVID-19 among persons with neuroinflammatory disorders (NID), particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In April 2020, we deployed online questionnaires to individuals in their home environment to assess the prevalence and potential risk factors of suspected COVID-19 in persons with NID (PwNID) and change in their neurological care. RESULTS: Our cohort included 1115 participants (630 NID, 98% MS; 485 reference) as of 30 April 2020. 202 (18%) participants, residing in areas with high COVID-19 case prevalence, met the April 2020 CDC symptom criteria for suspected COVID-19, but only 4% of all participants received testing given testing shortages. Among all participants, those with suspected COVID-19 were younger, more racially diverse, and reported more depression and liver disease. PwNID had the same rate of suspected COVID-19 as the reference group. Early changes in disease management included telemedicine visits in 21% and treatment changes in 9% of PwNID. After adjusting for potential confounders, increasing neurological disability was associated with a greater likelihood of suspected COVID-19 (ORadj  = 1.45, 1.17-1.84). INTERPRETATIONS: Our study of real-time, patient-reported experience during the COVID-19 pandemic complements physician-reported MS case registries which capture an excess of severe cases. Overall, PwNID seem to have a risk of suspected COVID-19 similar to the reference population.

ASPIRE trial: study protocol for a double-blind randomised controlled trial of aspirin for overheating during exercise in multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: The many benefits of exercise for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) are well established, yet patients often refrain from exercise due to overheating and exhaustion. The present randomised controlled trial tests aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)) as a convenient method to prevent overheating and improve exercise performance in persons with MS. The effects of ASA are compared with those of acetaminophen (APAP) and placebo. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Participants are seen for a laboratory maximal exercise test on 3 separate days separated by at least 1 week. At each session, body temperature is measured before oral administration of a standard adult dose (650 mg) of ASA, APAP or placebo. One hour after drug administration, participants perform a maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer. Primary outcomes are (a) time to exhaustion (that is, time spent cycling to peak exertion) and (b) body temperature change. Crossover analyses will include tests for effects of treatment, period, treatment-period interaction (carryover effect) and sequence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by the institutional review board at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (reference: AAAS2529). Results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences. Neurologists, physiatrists, primary care physicians and physiotherapists are important stakeholders and will be targeted during dissemination. Positive trial results have the potential to promote aspirin therapy, an inexpensive and readily available treatment, to reduce overheating and allow more persons with MS to benefit from exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03824938.

Fatal COVID-19 in an MS patient on natalizumab: A case report.

We report a fatal case of COVID-19 in a 51-year-old African American woman with multiple sclerosis on natalizumab. She had multiple risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease including race, obesity, hypertension, and elevated inflammatory markers, but the contribution of natalizumab to her poor outcome remains unknown. We consider whether altered dynamics of peripheral immune cells in the context of natalizumab treatment could worsen the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe COVID-19. We discuss extended interval dosing as a risk-reduction strategy for multiple sclerosis patients on natalizumab, and the use of interleukin-6 inhibitors in such patients who contract COVID-19.

Association of social network structure and physical function in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the association between physical function and the social environment in multiple sclerosis (MS), we quantified personal social networks. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 2 academic MS centers, with center 1 serving as a discovery group and center 2 as the extension group. We performed a meta-analysis of the centers to extend the analysis. We used responses from a questionnaire to map the structure and health habits of participants' social networks as well as the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function scale (0-100, mean 50 for US general population) as the primary outcome. We applied multivariable models to test the association between network metrics and physical function. RESULTS: The discovery cohort included 263 patients with MS: 81% were women, 96% non-Hispanic European, 78% had relapsing MS, average age was 50 (12.4) years, and mean disease duration was 17 (12.3) years. The extension group included 163 patients, who were younger, more racially diverse, and less physically disabled, and had shorter disease duration. In the meta-analysis, higher network constraint, a measure of tightly bound networks, was associated with worse physical function (ß = -0.163 ± 0.047, p < 0.001), while larger network effective size, a measure of clustered groups in the network, correlated with better physical function (ß = 0.134 ± 0.046, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights personal networks as an important environmental factor associated with physical function in MS. Patients with close-knit networks had worse function than those with more open networks. Longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate a causal relationship between network structure and physical impairment.