Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis

A study published in the journal Neurology in late October reports a connection between smoking and multiple sclerosis. In fact, the study claims that male smokers are three times as likely to be develop multiple sclerosis than nonsmokers and female smokers are two times as likely to develop the disease. Of the 22,000 people surveyed for the study, 76 percent of the people with multiple sclerosis were current or past smokers.

The research was conducted at the University of Bergen in Norway and at Harvard in the U.S. While researchers noted that smoking produces chemicals that are potentially toxic to the central nervous system, how smoking might trigger multiple sclerosis remains a mystery that will require more research.

Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Its believed genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible and that the disease can be triggered by environmental or behavioral factors.  In this case, smoking is considered a behavioral factor that might act as a trigger for the disease.

Resources:

The National Institutes of Health provide an abundance of information about Multiple Sclerosis, including general overviews, advice on coping and how the disease is diagnosed.

The BBC provides further detail about the study.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society organizes a wide range of research and educational programs, including support for newly diagnosed MS patients and those living with MS over time.

November 22, 2003