Changes on the health care of people with multiple sclerosis from Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chertcoff-, Anibal; Bauer, Johana; Silva, Berenice Anabel; Aldecoa, Mayra; Eizaguirre, María Bárbara; Rodriguez, Roberto; Chereque, Ana; Rodríguez Heudebert, María Lourdes; Milanesi, Verónica; Morales, Lourdes; Castellón, Melba; Mejía Pineda, Suyapa; Ferrandina, Flavia; Henestroza, Paula; Ruiz Peraza, Margarita; Vallecillo Rivas, Fátima; Cedeño Lopez, Lucía; Herrera, Leticia; Sosa, Marta; Cruchet Muñoz, Verónica; Barahona, Ana Silvia; Ramírez Gudiño, Luz María; Carballido, Susana; Walton, Clare; Peeters, Liesbet M; Rijke, Nick; Garcea, Orlando; Carrá, Adriana; Alonso, Ricardo

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in uncertain access to medical treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) all over the world. However, there is no data regarding its impact on access to health care of pwMS from Latin America. OBJECTIVES: We investigated and described changes in health care delivery for pwMS from Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: PwMS from 18 patient organizations of the region completed a web-based survey hosted from May to October 2020. RESULTS: A total of 602 pwMS completed the questionnaire. Changes in disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) use: 6.7% of pwMS on continuous DMTs claimed to stopped them; 14.1% of those on infusion therapies declared to postpone their dosing; 68.8% declared delaying the initiation of a DMT. Disruptions in accessing rehabilitation services were reported by 65.7%. Changes in laboratory and MRI monitoring were reported by 30% and 33%, respectively. In a multivariable-adjusted logistic regression model, changes in laboratory monitoring were significantly associated with increased odds of postponing MRI monitoring (OR 4.09 CI95% 2.79-6.00, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of the routine care for pwMS from Latin America. Consequences are yet to be determined.