Expert Consensus and Narrative Review on the Management of Multiple Sclerosis in the Arabian Gulf in the COVID-19 Era: Focus on Disease-Modifying Therapies and Vaccination Against COVID-19.

Abstract

This article describes consensus recommendations from an expert group of neurologists from the Arabian Gulf region on the management of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) in the COVID-19 era. MS appears not to be a risk factor for severe adverse COVID-19 outcomes (though patients with advanced disability or a progressive phenotype are at higher risk). Disease-modifying therapy (DMT)-based care appears generally safe for patients with MS who develop COVID-19 (although there may be an increased risk of adverse outcomes with anti-CD20 therapy). Interferon-β, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab and cladribine tablets are unlikely to increase the risk of infection; fingolimod, anti-CD20 agents and alemtuzumab may confer an intermediate risk. Existing DMT therapy should be continued at this time. For patients requiring initiation of a DMT, all currently available DMTs except alemtuzumab can be started safely at this time; initiate alemtuzumab subject to careful individual risk-benefit considerations. Patients should receive vaccination against COVID-19 where possible, with no interruption of existing DMT-based care. There is no need to alter the administration of interferon-β, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, fingolimod or cladribine tablets for vaccination; new starts on other DMTs should be delayed for up to 6 weeks after completion of vaccination to allow the immune response to develop. Doses of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine may be scheduled around doses of anti-CD20 or alemtuzumab. Where white cell counts are suppressed by treatment, these should be allowed to recover before vaccination.

• Authors: Jihad Inshasi, Raed Alroughani, Abdullah Al-Asmi, Jaber Alkhaboury, Abdullah Alsalti, Amir Boshra, Beatriz Canibano, Dirk Deleu, Samar Farouk Ahmed, Ahmed Shatila, Mona Thakre
• Journal: Neurology and therapy (Neurol Ther) Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 539-555 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 2193-8253 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 34138444 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).