COVID-19 risk factors and outcomes in individuals with stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders before and after omicron
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders (SPSD) are rare, disabling disorders of the nervous system that are associated with risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, limited data exist on the overall impact of COVID-19 on SPSD. METHODS: Patients with SPSD and COVID-19 who are followed at Johns Hopkins SPS Center were included. Demographics and SPSD characteristics along with COVID-19-specific data were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-five cases of SPSD with COVID-19 cases were reported during the study time period. Mean age of the cohort was 56 (SD ± 10) and most were female (66.7%). Eighty percent of the COVID-19 cases were confirmed with testing, and the rest were highly suggestive of COVID-19. COVID-19 comorbidities among patients were hypertension (n = 6), diabetes (n = 6), obesity (n = 5), and cardiovascular disease (n = 4). The majority of participants were on immune therapies and/or benzodiazepines. Out of the cases reported, only 2 required hospitalization, both of whom had diabetes, and one was on immunosuppressive therapy. The majority of cases were post-full-vaccination cases. Fever was the most common COVID-19-associated symptom. Transient neurological symptoms were also reported. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 in SPSD appear to be the same as historical data in the general population. Importantly, COVID-19 did not appear to be associated with worsening SPSD post-COVID-19. Vaccination may have played a role in preventing severe cases of COVID-19.
Authors: Hanyeh Afshar, Alexandra Simpson, Elena Taylor, Ashley Miles, Herbert R. Chen, Scott D. Newsome
Institution: Johns Hopkins University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4402925672