CovAID: Pathophysiological and societal effects of COVID-19 control measures on autoimmune disorders
COVID-19 measures, such as lockdowns, reduced the spread of non-COVID respiratory infections, which are linked to the development of neurological autoimmune diseases like narcolepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. LUMC, Amsterdam UMC, and Sleep-Wake Center SEIN will investigate whether COVID-19 measures reduced the number of new autoimmune disease cases. The societal effects of the measures on these patient groups will also be evaluated. This research provides disease mechanisms insights and informs policy for future pandemics.
Goal
This project has two main goals: first, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 measures, such as lockdowns and mask mandates, on the incidence of neurological autoimmune diseases like narcolepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which are linked to respiratory infections. Second, it will evaluate the societal impact of these measures on autoimmune disease patients. The findings will contribute to new insights into these conditions and help improve preparation and policymaking for potential future pandemics.
Approach
To investigate the first goal, Dutch hospital records on narcolepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) will be analyzed. The number of new cases each year will be compared before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. International data on narcolepsy from the European Narcolepsy Network will also be examined. Additionally, surveys and interviews will assess how COVID-19 measures impacted the daily lives and care of these patients, helping us understand their compliance with the measures and their sense of protection.
Collaboration partners
The research involves a large-scale national and international collaboration between hospitals, specialized sleep-wake clinics, and (patient) advocacy groups. Analyses will be conducted through partnerships with LUMC, Amsterdam UMC, Sleep-Wake Center SEIN, and Klinik Barmelweid (Switzerland) using national incidence data from CBS and the European Narcolepsy Network (EU-NN). Patient perspectives will be gathered through focus groups to develop surveys and interviews that will explore the societal effects of COVID-19 measures on these autoimmune disorders. Involved advocacy groups include MS Research Foundation, the Dutch Narcolepsy Association, and the European Narcolepsy Alliance for Patients.
(Expected) Results
By making optimal use of large, primarily existing datasets, this project will provide valuable new insights into the role respiratory infections play in the development of neurological autoimmune disorders. This will offer new avenues for follow-up research into treatment options and possible prevention of these debilitating conditions. Additionally, evaluating the impact of COVID-19 measures on these vulnerable patient populations will help improve healthcare access and protection in possible future pandemics. The results of the project are expected in 2026.