OREBRO, SWEDEN: New research from Örebro University and Örebro University Hospital suggests that severe cases of Covid-19 may double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological condition. The study, led by Professor Scott Montgomery, examined hospital records of patients admitted with Covid-19 in Sweden between 2020 and 2022.
While MS remains a rare disease, the findings reveal that 26 per 100,000 patients with severe Covid-19 later developed MS, a rate twice as high as those without a Covid-19 diagnosis. However, the absolute risk remains low, at approximately 0.02%.
Professor Montgomery stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for MS to slow disease progression and improve patients’ quality of life.
“While most people infected with Covid-19 will not develop MS, those experiencing symptoms like neurological issues should seek medical advice promptly. Early intervention can delay the worsening of the disease,” he explained.
The study highlights a potential connection between the severity of Covid-19 and the onset of MS, potentially uncovering latent conditions. Severe Covid-19 may act as a trigger in susceptible individuals, though further research is needed to confirm the link over the long term.
“It can take up to 10 to 20 years for MS to develop after exposure to certain triggers affecting the brain or spinal cord. Monitoring this patient group over time will help clarify the role of Covid-19 in MS development,” Montgomery added.
The study underscores the importance of vaccination to reduce the severity of Covid-19 infections and mitigate potential long-term health impacts.
Researchers are also exploring whether Covid-19 could be linked to other diseases, aiming to identify early warning signs and improve timely diagnosis and treatment.
The findings of this groundbreaking study have been published in Brain Communications, titled “SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk of subsequent demyelinating diseases: national register-based cohort study.”