Smoking is a risk factor for early conversion
to clinically definite multiple sclerosis
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Medical Update Memo
August 13, 2008
Summary
Two studies look at impact of smoking on
MS: Smoking is a risk factor for early conversion
to clinically definite multiple sclerosis
and smoking worsens the prognosis in multiple
sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2008 Jul 16. [Epub
ahead of print]
Details
Researchers from Innsbruck Medical University
have concluded that cigarette smoking increases
the risk for development of multiple sclerosis
and modifies the clinical course of the disease.
129 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome
(CIS) were included in this study. Subjects
had disseminated white-matter lesions on brain
magnetic resonance imaging, and positive oligoclonal
bands in the cerebrospinal fluid. The patients'
smoking status was obtained at the time of
the clinically isolated syndrome.
During a follow-up time of 36 months, 75% of
smokers but only 51% of non-smokers developed
clinically definite multiple sclerosis, and
smokers had a significantly shorter time interval
to their first relapse. The hazard ratio for
progression to clinically definite multiple
sclerosis was 1.8 (95% confidence interval,
1.2-2.8) for smokers compared with non-smokers
(P = 0.008).
Authors conclude that smoking is associated
with an increased risk for early conversion
to clinically definite multiple sclerosis after
a clinically isolated syndrome. Results suggest
that smoking is an independent but modifiable
risk factor for disease progression of multiple
sclerosis.
Smoking worsens the prognosis in multiple sclerosis.
In another look at the impact of smoking on
MS, researchers from Umeå University
Hospital, in Sweden conclude that smoking worsens
prognosis in multiple sclerosis.
Self reported data on the smoking habits of
122 people with MS was collected. Their mean
duration of disease was 6 years.
Any history of smoking appeared to increase
the chance of experiencing a progressive disease
course as compared to a history of no smoking.
This difference reached statistical significance.
This difference was most pronounced in people
who had begun smoking prior to the age of 15.
In this group, progressive disease was significantly
more likely not only to occur, but also to
occur at an earlier age, compared with those
who started smoking later, or not at all. Again,
these differences reached statistical significance.
Taken together these studies have implications
for counseling people with possible or confirmed
MS. Smoking is a modifiable behavior and risk
factor early on in MS.
ASK MS Information System Code: 2.2.12.i
National Client Services
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Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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