XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
   Health
 Aging
 Asian Health
 Events
 Fitness
 Food & Nutrition
 Happiness
 Men's Health
 Mental Health
 Occupational Health
 Parenting
 Public Health
 Sleep Hygiene
 Women's Health
 
   Healthcare
 Africa
 Australia
 Canada Healthcare
 China Healthcare
 India Healthcare
 New Zealand
 South Africa
 UK
 USA
 World Healthcare
 
   Latest Research
 Aging
 Alternative Medicine
 Anaethesia
 Biochemistry
 Biotechnology
 Cancer
 Cardiology
 Clinical Trials
 Cytology
 Dental
 Dermatology
 Embryology
 Endocrinology
 ENT
 Environment
 Epidemiology
 Gastroenterology
 Genetics
 Gynaecology
 Haematology
 Immunology
 Infectious Diseases
 Medicine
 Metabolism
 Microbiology
 Musculoskeletal
 Nephrology
 Neurosciences
  Brain Diseases
  Demyelinating Diseases
   Multiple Sclerosis
  Headache
  Memory
  Neurochemistry
  Neurodegenerative Diseases
  Regeneration
  Spinal Cord Diseases
  Stroke
  Taste
  Trigeminal Neuralgia
 Obstetrics
 Ophthalmology
 Orthopedics
 Paediatrics
 Pathology
 Pharmacology
 Physiology
 Physiotherapy
 Psychiatry
 Radiology
 Rheumatology
 Sports Medicine
 Surgery
 Toxicology
 Urology
 
   Medical News
 Awards & Prizes
 Epidemics
 Launch
 Opinion
 Professionals
 
   Special Topics
 Ethics
 Euthanasia
 Evolution
 Feature
 Odd Medical News
 Climate
Search

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2006 - 1:55:25 PM

Multiple Sclerosis Channel
subscribe to Multiple Sclerosis newsletter

Latest Research : Neurosciences : Demyelinating Diseases : Multiple Sclerosis

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
Cigarette Smoking linked with Progression of Multiple Sclerosis
Apr 26, 2005 - 2:20:00 AM, Reviewed by: Dr.

First Modifiable Risk Factor for Disease Advancement Identified

 
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) recently discovered that cigarette smoking may contribute to the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that quitting smoking could limit or delay central nervous system deterioration. This is the first time that a modifiable risk factor for MS progression has been identified, providing a new strategy for patients hoping to control neurological damage from the disease.

Miguel Hern�n, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of epidemiology at HSPH, noted that �the findings are interesting because no modifiable risk factors for the progression of MS are known. This was the first prospective study that identified a potential intervention (quitting smoking) for reducing the risk of progression of MS.�

Analyzing over 2,000 medical records in the General Practice Research Database (GPRD), researchers identified 179 British patients who were originally diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, a form of the disease in which symptoms fade and recur in unpredictable patterns. Patients who were current or past smokers were 3.6 times as likely as patients who had never smoked to develop secondary progressive MS, a later stage of the disease marked by steady deterioration of the central nervous system. This disease progression also occurred more quickly in patients who were identified as current or past smokers. The study also supported earlier research showing that smoking may increase the risk of initial MS diagnosis. Current and past smokers were 30% more likely to be diagnosed with MS than those who had never smoked.

While more research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these findings, Hern�n and his colleagues speculate that nitrous oxide, a chemical present in cigarette smoke, may play a role in hastening the degeneration of nerve fibers. Alternatively, chemicals in cigarette smoke could damage the cells that create myelin, a protective coating for neurons, or may predispose smokers to autoimmune responses.

According to Hern�n, �Our findings raise a number of other questions that future research needs to address. Does a dose-response relation between cumulative exposure to tobacco and risk exist? How long does the tobacco effect last? Is second-hand smoking associated with an increased risk as well?�
 

- Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
 

www.hsph.harvard.edu

 
Subscribe to Multiple Sclerosis Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 

The research was funded by a grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Harvard School of Public Health is dedicated to advancing the public's health through learning, discovery, and communication. More than 300 faculty members are engaged in teaching and training the 900-plus student body in a broad spectrum of disciplines crucial to the health and well being of individuals and populations around the world. Programs and projects range from the molecular biology of AIDS vaccines to the epidemiology of cancer; from risk analysis to violence prevention; from maternal and children's health to quality of care measurement; from health care management to international health and human rights.


Related Multiple Sclerosis News
Smoking associated with rapid progression of multiple sclerosis
Testosterone may help men with multiple sclerosis
Age of onset but not severity of Multiple Sclerosis inherited from parents
Cause of nerve fiber damage in multiple sclerosis identified
Fampridine may hold promise for treating Multiple Sclerosis
CNS can send out signals to invite autoimmune attacks
Natalizumab Re-approved for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Efficacy in relapse rate reduction beyond five years shown for interferon beta 1b in Multiple Sclerosis
Systematic Review Questions Accuracy of MRI in Multiple Sclerosis
Statins could prove useful in treating MS


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us