Global survey reveals widespread impact of COVID-19 on multiple sclerosis care.

Lives around the world have been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as people endure lingering fears about the virus’ health effects and try to manage stay-at-home orders and other restrictions that have disrupted many aspects of daily life.

To better understand the unique challenges impacting the MS Community during this unprecedented health crisis, we conducted a global survey of people living with MS and HCPs managing MS.

Key Findings

Fear of COVID-19

People living with MS fear they are at greater risk for COVID-19 and may be impacted more severely by the virus than the general public.

Half of survey respondents living with MS believe that having MS puts them at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 (46%) or that, if they contract the virus, they will experience a more severe form of COVID-19 (49%).

Potential Vaccine Concerns

While the potential for a COVID-19 vaccine brings hope for many, there is concern about whether it will have the same effect for people living with MS when available.

Almost half of respondents are unsure whether a COVID-19 vaccine will work for them due to their MS and/or MS treatment.

Emotional & Physical Toll

People living with MS report that the pandemic is taking a toll on their health and well-being. The negative impact of these changes may be greatest among people living with more severe, progressive forms of the disease.

Almost half of all respondents with more severe forms of MS said they have reduced or no access to necessary support services for managing their disease.

Changes to MS Care

The pandemic has prompted changes to MS management around the world, with stay-at-home restrictions causing treatment impediments or delays, reduced in-person interactions between patients and physicians, and more limited access to support services that many people living with MS rely on to help manage their disease.

Healthcare provider satisfaction with the MS medical care they can provide has decreased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, this effect was not as pronounced among respondents living with MS, who indicated they were mostly satisfied by the care they are receiving.