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Stressful life events and the risk of initial central nervous system demyelination.
- Source :
-
Multiple Sclerosis Journal . Jun2017, Vol. 23 Issue 7, p1000-1007. 8p. 4 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Background: There is substantial evidence that stress increases multiple sclerosis disease activity, but limited evidence on its association with the onset of multiple sclerosis. Objective: To examine the association between stressful life events and risk of first demyelinating event (FDE). Methods: This was a multicentre incident case–control study. Cases (n = 282 with first diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination, including n = 216 with ‘classic FDE’) were aged 18–59 years. Controls without CNS demyelination (n = 558) were matched to cases on age, sex and study region. Stressful life events were assessed using a questionnaire based on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Results: Those who suffered from a serious illness in the previous 12 months were more likely to have an FDE (odds ratio (OR) = 2.35 (1.36, 4.06), p = 0.002), and when we limited our reference group to those who had no stressful life events, the magnitude of effect became stronger (OR = 5.41 (1.80, 16.28)). The total stress number and stress load were not convincingly associated with the risk of an FDE. Conclusion: Cases were more likely to report a serious illness in the previous 12 months, which could suggest that a non-specific illness provides an additional strain to an already predisposed immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13524585
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Multiple Sclerosis Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 123382627
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458516667566