Without a doubt, 2020 was a very peculiar year. I think nobody would have dreamt at the beginning of the year what was really coming our way. A pandemic of this magnitude, with these effects on private and professional life was simply unimaginable.
For patients with MS, COVID19 was initially a great source of uncertainty. It was unclear whether taking immunotherapies to treat MS would have a negative effect on susceptibility to the virus infection. The value of rapid information exchange via social networks and the worldwide networking of MS centers has shown itself here – relatively soon the impression solidified that MS patients, whether with or without therapy, cope quite well with the disease and that the same risk factors apply to people with MS as for the general population.
As a result, after a short period of uncertainty, the line could be followed that despite COVID19, MS must be the focus of all considerations and neither postponing nor delaying necessary immunotherapy is justified.
Nevertheless, the pandemic has left its mark – the restricted access to rehabilitation or even to physio- and occupational therapy in the spring was a major problem, especially for those more severely affected. And the limited activity of self-help was and is a burdensome factor.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Nevertheless, I believe, even in light of the tightened measures again, that the light at the end of the tunnel can already be seen. I am firmly convinced that the COVID19 vaccination will bring us a giant step towards normality. Once large parts of the risk groups are vaccinated, there will be a noticeable relaxation in the health system. Until then, we still have to persevere and gather our last strengths, but I think we will succeed.
Against the background of the pandemic, some developments that occurred this year in the field of MS have somewhat receded into the background – nevertheless, there were new approvals with Siponimod and Ozanimod, and with Ofatumumab, a promising concept is on the verge of approval. We will definitely hear a lot more about both B-cell-directed therapies and the further developments of the S1P modulators in 2021. In addition, the new MS guidelines are about to be published in Germany, which we will certainly discuss here in the DocBlog. However, I believe that at the beginning of 2021 we will once again deal intensively with the topic of vaccination. The anti-vaxxers are already positioning themselves, we will counteract with factual and substantiated information.
Also informing objectively and substantively in 2021
I hope that I have succeeded in this, namely in informing you objectively and substantively, in the soon past year 2020. I look forward to the new challenges in 2021, but please let it be a little less exciting than in 2020. In this sense, I would like to wish you a merry and contemplative Christmas, even if it might be a bit quieter and more contemplative than in previous years. Have a good start into the new year and stay healthy.
Your Mathias Mäurer
