A multi-centre longitudinal study analysing multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy prescribing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemicLal, Anoushka P. (Avtor) Chao Foong, Yi Chao (Avtor) Sanfilippo, Paul G. (Avtor) Spelman, Tim (Avtor) Rath, Louise (Avtor) Levitz, David (Avtor) Fabis-Pedrini, Marzena (Avtor) Foschi, Matteo (Avtor) Habek, Mario (Avtor) Brecl Jakob, Gregor (Avtor) multiple sclerosiscovid-19disease-modifying therapyBackground The COVID-19 pandemic raised concern amongst clinicians that disease-modifying therapies (DMT), particularly anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and fngolimod, could worsen COVID-19 in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This study aimed to examine DMT prescribing trends pre- and post-pandemic onset. Methods A multi-centre longitudinal study with 8,771 participants from MSBase was conducted. Two time periods were defned: pre-pandemic (March 11 2018–March 10 2020) and post-pandemic onset (March 11 2020–11 March 2022). The association between time and prescribing trends was analysed using multivariable mixed-efects logistic regression. DMT initiation refers to frst initiation of any DMT, whilst DMT switches indicate changing regimen within 6 months of last use. Results Post-pandemic onset, there was a signifcant increase in DMT initiation/switching to natalizumab and cladribine [(Natalizumab-initiation: OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.39–2.13; switching: OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.40–1.98), (Cladribine-initiation: OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.09–1.87; switching: OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.41–1.98)]. Anti-CD20mAb initiation/switching decreased in the year of the pandemic, but recovered in the second year, such that overall odds increased slightly post-pandemic (initiation: OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49; Switching: OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29. Initiation/switching of fngolimod, interferon-beta, and alemtuzumab signifcantly decreased [(Fingolimod-initiation: OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41–0.73; switching: OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.41–0.58), (Interferon-gamma-initiation: OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.41–0.57; switching: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62–0.99), (Alemtuzumab-initiation: OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.15–0.48; switching: OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.17–0.44)]. Conclusions Post-pandemic onset, clinicians preferentially prescribed natalizumab and cladribine over anti-CD20 mAbs and fngolimod, likely to preserve efcacy but reduce perceived immunosuppressive risks. This could have implications for disease progression in pwMS. Our fndings highlight the signifcance of equitable DMT access globally, and the importance of evidence-based decision-making in global health challenges.20242026-06-12 09:54:40Neznano30032UDK: 61ISSN pri članku: 1432-1459DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12518-7COBISS_ID: 212551683sl