Mean and standard deviation of variables.

ObjectivesPrevious studies suggested a higher rate of COVID-19 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis than in the general population, and limited studies addressed the impact of COVID-19 and its vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis in Iran. We decided to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 infection, the effects and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsWe used the data of the patients with multiple sclerosis registered in a referral clinic in Kerman, one of the large cities in Iran (a population of 537,000 inhabitants), to explore the association between demographic variables, the history of COVID-19 vaccination, and the clinical outcomes.ResultsOf the 367 participants in this study, 88.3% received the COVID-19 vaccine, 35.4% were confirmed COVID-19 cases, and the incidence of COVID-19 was much higher before vaccination (24.5% before vaccination versus 10.1% after vaccination). The multivariable logistic regression model showed that male gender (OR = 2.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.21, 5.74) and current employment (OR = 3.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.59, 5.80) were associated with an increased risk of COVID-19. The only factor associated with the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination was the type of vaccine (AstraZeneca).ConclusionOur findings showed that the vaccination protected MS cases considerably against COVID-19. In addition, the side effects of the vaccines were not noticeably high in these cases as well. Among all COVID-19 vaccines, AstraZeneca had the most common side effects, so people must be aware of them before vaccination. The male gender and employment were the most important variables in the prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with multiple sclerosis in our study.研究背景与目的 既往研究显示，多发性硬化（multiple sclerosis, MS）患者的新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）感染率高于普通人群，而伊朗境内针对多发性硬化患者的新冠感染及其疫苗接种影响的相关研究较为有限。本研究旨在探讨与新冠感染相关的影响因素，以及新冠疫苗接种在多发性硬化患者中的效果与不良反应。 方法 本研究纳入伊朗大型城市克尔曼（总人口53.7万）一家转诊诊所登记的多发性硬化患者数据，以分析人口统计学变量、新冠疫苗接种史与临床结局之间的关联。 结果 本研究共纳入367名受试者，其中88.3%完成了新冠疫苗接种，35.4%经检测确诊为新冠感染者；疫苗接种前的新冠感染发生率显著高于接种后（接种前为24.5%，接种后仅为10.1%）。多变量logistic回归分析显示，男性（优势比OR=2.64，95%置信区间：1.21~5.74）与当前在职状态（OR=3.04，95%置信区间：1.59~5.80）均与新冠感染风险升高显著相关。与新冠疫苗接种不良反应唯一相关的因素为疫苗类型，即阿斯利康（AstraZeneca）疫苗。 结论 本研究结果显示，新冠疫苗接种可显著降低多发性硬化患者的新冠感染风险；同时该人群中疫苗不良反应发生率并无显著升高。在所有新冠疫苗中，阿斯利康（AstraZeneca）疫苗的不良反应最为常见，因此民众在接种前应充分了解相关风险。本研究中，男性性别与在职状态是影响多发性硬化患者新冠感染流行率的最关键变量。