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QJM Advance Access originally published online on October 25, 2005
QJM 2005 98(12):895-911; doi:10.1093/qjmed/hci135
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Physicians. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Commentary

Are multiple sclerosis patients risk-takers?

C.H. Hawkes

From the Essex Neuroscience Centre, Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, UK

Address correspondence to Dr C.H. Hawkes, Essex Neuroscience Centre, Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, Essex RM7 0BE. email: chrishawkes{at}msn.com

Several factors appear to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), and each has a postulated immune or environmental explanation, but a common theme is lacking. This article suggests that a unifying premise could be risk-associated behaviour. Evidence is reviewed for associations with smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, oral contraception, cholesterol intake, risk attitude and behaviour, ultraviolet light and vitamin D exposure, frequency of MS in healthy societies, and viral infection. The evidence associated with smoking, not taking vitamin D supplements and Epstein-Barr viral infection appears good. There may be a pattern of risk-associated behaviour that characterizes patients with MS and brings them into contact with one or more causative agents. Of the possible agents, viral infection seems the most likely.


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C.H. Hawkes
Smoking is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis: a metanalysis
Multiple Sclerosis, June 1, 2007; 13(5): 610 - 615.
[Abstract] [PDF]


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