November 22, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Smoking during pregnancy tied to raised MS risk in mothers, offspring Women who smoked during pregnancy, and their offspring, showed a significantly higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in a recent Danish study. “Our observations add further to the evidence implicating smoking in the development of MS and suggest that intra-uterine exposure to tobacco smoke may increase MS risk,”…
January 20, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Smoking Linked to Depression and Anxiety in MS: Review Study Smoking tobacco products is associated with a higher prevalence of depression and anxiety among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according to a recent systematic review. Across the evaluated studies, current smoking was linked to a 1.3ā2.3 times higher prevalence of depression, and about a 1.2 times higher rate of anxiety.
January 17, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD MS Relapse, Worse Disease More Likely for Smokers: New Study People withĀ relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who are receiving oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are still more likely to experience a relapse or any form of disease activity if they are smokers, a study found. Researchers also observed that former smokers had a disease…
July 7, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Smoking Linked to Worse Outcomes in RRMS Patients After 10 Years Smoking is associated with lower brain volume, more brain lesions, and greater disability and attention deficits among people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) after 10 years,Ā according to a study in Norway. “The findings imply that patients should be advised and offered aid in smoking cessation shortly after diagnosis, to…
July 6, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Income, Education Levels Linked to Fatigue in MS Patients in New Study Lower levels of income and education, as well as other socioeconomic factors, are associated with the presence and severity of fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study in Norway found. Women, smokers, and those with other co-existing conditions or a higher disability level also were more…
March 14, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Drinking Alcohol Daily May Speed Loss of Nerve Cells in Patients’ Brains While people who smoke cigarettes are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, MS patients who are daily alcohol drinkers are more likely to show signs of faster neurodegeneration,Ā a new study highlights. The findings suggest that quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol would be beneficial for people…
November 2, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Never Drinking Alcohol Tied to ‘Significantly’ Higher MS Risk Not drinking alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), especially if a person also is a current or former smoker, according to a new study. These findings add to the knowledge, discovered in multiple previous studies, that alcohol decreases the activity of the immune system. According…
October 15, 2021 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #ECTRIMS2021 ā Quitting Smoking May Help Slow MS Progression Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the virtual 37th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), Oct. 13ā15. GoĀ here to see the latest stories from the conference. Multiple…
July 23, 2021 News by Somi Igbene, PhD Hypertension Triples Disability Risk in Hispanic/Latino MS Patients Hypertension ā high blood pressure ā triples the risk of severe walking disability in Hispanic and Latino people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new observational study reports. The study, āHypertension and hypertension severity in Hispanics/Latinx with MS,ā was published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Although…
February 24, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Physical Inactivity, Smoking Linked to Patient Fatigue People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who smoke tobacco or are not physically active are more likely to experience fatigue that interferes with their daily life, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that physical exercise and quitting smoking could help ease fatigue in people with MS. The study, “…
September 14, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD #MSVirtual2020 – Cardiovascular Risk Factors Linked to Brain Shrinkage In people with multiple sclerosis (MS) under age 50, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors is associated with a greater loss of brain volume, including white and grey matter, a study showed. The brainās white matter mainly consists of nerve fibers and is typically affected by MS, while…
August 28, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Youthful Obesity May Account for 14% of MS Cases in US by 2035 The number of new cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) possibly due toĀ obesity in childhood and adolescence could rise by Ā 14% in the U.S. over the next 15 years, and by 10% in the U.K., a study reported. While the worldwideĀ risk of MS linked to obesity in early life…
August 10, 2020 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Epstein-Barr and Smoking, Infections, Oral DMT Trial, Exercise and the Brain Smoking and Epstein-Barr Virus Combine to Raise MS Risk, Study Says A number of studies over several years have demonstrated a likely link between the Epstein-Barr virus and MS. Of course, there’s no question about the health risks of smoking. Put the two together, and it looks like double…
August 5, 2020 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Smoking and Epstein-Barr Virus Combine to Raise MS Risk, Study Says Cigarette smoking and an EpsteināBarr virus infection together represent a significant risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that at least one path to this disease involves two factors working synergistically, a study reports. The study, āSmoking and EpsteināBarr virus infection in multiple sclerosis development,ā was published…
April 6, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study Finds Link Between Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Adolescence and MS Risk People exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke during adolescence may be more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life, a study suggests. The study, “Exposure to passive smoking during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis,” was published in theĀ Multiple…
February 26, 2020 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Stopping Tysabri Early Tied to Active PPMS, Smoking and Depression in Patients, Study Finds The likelihood of discontinuing treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) is higher among patients with progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis, and those who smoke and are depressed, a study reported. Progressive relapsing MS (PRMS) is now largely considered a subset of primary progressive MS, or PPMS marked by periods…
February 11, 2019 Columns by Debi Wilson MS Boosts the Importance of Avoiding a Sedentary Lifestyle Multiple sclerosis (MS) can make our bodies experience pain, become weak, and easily fatigue. We can find it difficult just to walk. These challenges can steal our motivation to be active. But without regular activity, we become sedentary, which can increase weakness and fatigue symptoms that cause additional health…
December 17, 2018 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Each Major Risk Factor (Like Genes, Smoking and Obesity) Can Affect Disease Course, Study Finds Risk factors often associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), such as genetic background, obesity and smoking, contribute independently to the disease’s variability and may be an early influence on progression, a study reported. The retrospective study, “Multiple sclerosis risk factors contribute to onset heterogeneity,” was published in the journalĀ …
November 6, 2018 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Diabetes, Hypertension, Smoking Linked with Brain Shrinkage in MS Patients Diabetes, hypertension, and active smoking correlate with more brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a new study shows. The study, āAssessing the burden of vascular risk factors on brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis: A case- control MRI studyā was published in the journalĀ Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
October 18, 2018 News by Ana Pena PhD #ECTRIMS2018 ā High Vitamin D Levels, Smoking Predict Opposite Effects on Cognition in CIS Patients, Study Suggests High vitamin D levels predict better cognitive function, while smoking is associated with worse long-term cognitive disability in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a study suggests. Data from the study was presented by MariannaĀ Cortese, MD, PhD, from the Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan…
October 15, 2018 News by Ana Pena PhD #ECTRIMS2018 – Smoking and Vitamin D Deficiency Likely to Worsen CIS Prognosis, Model Suggests Smoking and low levels of vitamin D can worsen prognosis for people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), researchers who developed a model for predicting long-term disability progression report. Their study, āPredicting the course of CIS patients adding…
September 27, 2018 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Smoking May Speed Up MS Progression, Lower Treatment Effectiveness, Study Reports Smoking may increase multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, quicken disability progression, and speed the transition from relapsing to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) by as much as eight years, according to anĀ MS Society review study. The review data shows that, although the U.K.ās National Institute for Health…
September 4, 2018 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Smoking Aggravates Respiratory Complications, Increases Sedentary Lifestyle in MS Patients, Study Reports Cigarette smoking worsens shortness of breath and fatigue, increases the rate of hospital admissions, and fosters a sedentary lifestyle in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study. The research, āEffects of cigarette smoking on respiratory problems and functional levels in multiple sclerosis patients,ā…
August 7, 2018 News by Stacy Grieve, PhD Smoking Increases Relapse Rate in RRMS Patients on Tysabri, Study Suggests Smoking increases the relapse rate in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis being treated with Tysabri , an observational study suggests. Multiple sclerosis is a multifactorial disease associated with both genetic and environmental risk factors.Ā Smoking, in particular, has been linked to numerous aspects of MS, including its development and progression. In a previous study, the research team looked at how smoking influences the relapse rate in RRMS patients being treated with interferon beta. From more than 800 patients, they found that smoking one pack per day (about 20 cigarettes) essentially interfered with the positive effect of the IFN-beta treatment and increased the relapse rate by 27%. The researchers then questioned whether the same was true for other treatments. Tysabri, developed by Biogen, is a monoclonal antibody that targets the alpha-4 integrin protein. By interfering with this molecule, the therapy prevents white blood cells from moving into the central nervous system, suppressing the immune reaction that contributes to MS symptoms. In the study, 355 Tysabri-treated RRMS patients from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Centre were assessed. To gather information on smoking habits and body mass index, the patients filled out a 100-question survey. Data was collected between the start of the treatment and a two-year follow-up visit. Results showed that smoking one pack of cigarettes per day increases the relapse rate by 38% in RRMS patients on Tysabri. This increase in relapse rate takes into account both sex and age at the start of treatment, since ageĀ can affect the relapse rate. For example, an increase in age by one year raises the number of relapses by 2%. The researchers also looked at the relationship between smoking and the presence of two immune-related alleles:Ā HLA-DRB1*15:01 andĀ HLA-A*02:01. Previous studies showed that HLADRB1*15:01Ā is associated with an increased risk ofĀ developing MS, whileĀ HLA-A*02:01 is linked to a decreasedĀ risk. Although previous studies reported a link between smoking and these two alleles in MS patients, the current study did not find an association between smoking and carrying either of these alleles. Based on the results, the researchers concludedĀ that smoking significantly increases the relapse rate in RRMS patients receiving Tysabri. According to the team, the results "add important informationĀ that hopefully will sharpen the focus on the overallĀ harmful effects of smoking in MS patients."
July 6, 2018 News by Ana Pena PhD Mix of Organic Solvent Exposure, Smoking and Genes Raise Risk of MS by 30 Fold, Study Says Exposure to organic solvents like such as paint or varnish greatly raises the risk ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in people who smoke or have a genetic susceptibility to the disease, a large-scale Swedish study reports. In fact, solvent exposure ā linked to occupation, like being a painter or working…
June 18, 2018 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: A Myelin Discovery; Comparing Gilenya and Tecfidera; Measuring a Fall Risk; Smoking, Obesity, and MS Discovery of āFieryā Cell Death Mechanism May Be MS āGame-Changerā Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a process that may be responsible for destroying myelin. Better than that, they also think they have a way of limiting that process using a medication. The inhibitor, known…
June 14, 2018 News by Vijaya Iyer, PhD Obesity and Smoking in Teen Years Could Speed Adult’s Progression to SPMS, Study Reports Young adults at age 20 who are obese and smoke are not only at a higher risk of developing relapsing multiple sclerosis ā those who become MS patients after age 20 are also more likely to advance to secondary progressive MS more quickly, researchers in Sweden report. But the link…
May 29, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS Patients Generally Able to Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Study Shows In general, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are able to make and sustainĀ healthy lifestyle changes associated with a better quality of life, a study shows. The study, āHealth outcomes and adherence to a healthy lifestyle after a multimodal intervention in people with multiple sclerosis: Three year follow-up,ā…
November 22, 2017 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Smoking Alters DNA-based Mechanism That Influences Gene Activity in MS, Study Confirms Smoking changes a DNA-based mechanism that influences multiple sclerosis patients’ gene activity, a Swedish study confirms. Another finding was that MS appears to aggravate the harmful effects of smoking. The study dealt with DNA methylation, the process by which the body adds methyl groups to a DNA molecule.Ā Methylation can change…
October 27, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #MSParis2017 ā Quitting Smoking, Boosting Vitamin D Reduces MS Healthcare Costs, Improves Outcomes People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who quit smoking have better health outcomes than those who continue. Therefore, MS-relatedĀ costs can be reduced by encouraging smokers toĀ quit. Similar results were observed in MS patients with healthy vitamin D levels,Ā Maura Pugliatti,Ā from theĀ University of Ferrara, in Italy,Ā said Friday in a presentation at the…