Potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis in Rio de Janeiro: a case-control study

Abstract

-Purpose: To evaluate potential risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis in Brazilian patients. Method: A case control study was carried out in 81 patients enrolled at the Department of Neurology of the Hospital da Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, and 81 paired controls. A standardized questionnaire on demographic, social and cultural variables, and medical and family history was used. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression models with the SPSS for Windows software program. Results: Having standard vaccinations (vaccinations specified by the Brazilian government) (OR=16.2; 95% CI=2.3-115.2), smoking (OR=7.6; 95% CI=2.1-28.2), being single (OR=4.7; 95% CI=1.4-15.6) and eating animal brain (OR=3.4; 95% CI=1.2-9.8) increased the risk of developing MS. Conclusions: Results of this study may contribute towards better awareness of the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis.KEY WORDS: multiple sclerosis, risk factors, immunization, tobacco, single person, consumption of animal brain, Brazil.Potenciais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de esclerose múltipla no Rio de Janeiro: um estudo caso controle Resumo -Objetivo: Avaliar os potenciais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de esclerose múltipla em pacientes brasileiros. Método: Um estudo caso-controle incluiu 81 pacientes atendidos no Departamento de Neurologia do Hospital da Lagoa, no Rio de Janeiro, e 81 controles. Um questionário padronizado incluiu variáveis demográficas, sociais e culturais, além da história familiar e clínica. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do programa SPSS para Windows e foi constituída de estatísticas descritivas e de um modelo de regressão logística condicional. Resultados: Pacientes com história de imunização (OR=16,2; IC95%=2,3-115,2), fumantes (OR=7,6; IC95%=2,2), solteiros (OR=4,7; IC95%=1,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)6) e que consumiam cérebro de animal (OR=3,4; IC95%=1,2-9,8) tiveram risco mais elevado de desenvolver esclerose múltipla quando comparados aos controles. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento das características epidemiológicas dos pacientes brasileiros com esclerose múltipla. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: esclerose múltipla, fatores de risco, epidemiologia, Brasil.

Multiple Sclerosis and Several Demographic Characteristics, Family History of MS, and Month of Birth: A Case-Control Study

“…A study conducted in Israel showed that the incidence of MS in Muslim Arabs, Druze (a Muslim sect), and Bedouins is less than that in Jewish immigrants from Asia or Africa and Christian Arabs (25). Silva et al (2009) showed that being unmarried is associated with a higher risk of MS (14), which is inconsistent with the results of the present study. However, Ghadirian et al (2001) showed no association of marital status with the risk of MS (21), which is consistent with the results of this study.…”

“…Numerous studies have assessed the associations of different ethnicities and races with the risk of MS worldwide (2,12,14,25). Iran has different ethnic groups, each with specific lifestyle and behavioral habits as well as different environmental exposures.…”

“…Although genetic predisposition is important in MS, it cannot explain the variations in MS incidence according to geographical differences and migration (14,15).…”

“…This may indicate that environmental factors during pregnancy or birth, or both, may affect the disease (18,20). A number of studies have examined some demographic characteristics and risk of MS. A study in Brazil showed that marital status is associated with MS (14), although a Canadian study did not show a connection between marital status and MS (21). A number of studies also examined the relationships between MS and ethnicity, place of residence for the first 15 years of life, and marriage (14,(22)(23)(24).…”

The association between cigarette smoking and multiple sclerosis

“…These results are consistent with several retrospective casecontrol studies [15][16][17][18][19][20], and population based surveys [21,22] ( Table 1). Ghadirian et al [15] showed in a case-control study of 200 incident MS cases from Montreal that ever-smoking was significantly associated with a higher MS risk (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.4) and concurred with the stronger association for heavy smokers.…”