Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology (Apr 2021)

Multiple sclerosis, rituximab, and COVID‐19

  • Annette Langer‐Gould,
  • Jessica B. Smith,
  • Bonnie H. Li,
  • the KPSC MS Specialist Group

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.51342
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 4
pp. 938 – 943

Abstract

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Abstract We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Kaiser Permanente Southern California from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. We found that rituximab‐treated persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS, n = 1895) were more likely be hospitalized (n = 8, 33.3%), but not die (n = 0) from COVID‐19, compared to the 4.81 million non‐MS population (5.8% and 1.4%, respectively). Time in months (adjusted OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.15–0.69, p = 0.0033) and receiving 1000 mg compared to lower doses at last infusion (adjusted OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 1.38–28.5, p = 0.0173) were independent predictors of COVID‐19 severity. Rituximab‐treated pwMS should be counseled to take extra precautions in the 5 months following each infusion. Using extended dosing intervals and lower doses could be considered.