Varicella, ephemeral breastfeeding and eczema as risk factors for multiple sclerosis in Mexicans
1Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Objective:
It has been suggested that the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Mexico and other countries of Latin America has increased steadily for the last two decades. We made a thorough search of antecedents on MS patients that could be potential risk factors.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted using a questionnaire that included demographic, nutritional, infectious and personal antecedents previously identified in other reports as possible risk factors for MS.
Results:
The frequency of varicella, ephemeral breastfeeding and eczema in the medical history of MS patients were significant when compared with controls; all appeared to be mutually additive. However, they were unrelated with clinical characteristics or disease severity.
Conclusion:
During the last decades, breastfeeding has been abandoned in large segments of society and the incidence of varicella and childhood eczema keeps a north-south gradient similar to that described for MS. These factors may participate in the sharp increase of MS in countries like Mexico traditionally considered as an area of very low incidence.
Insights
Early life factors like varicella, brief breastfeeding, and eczema may contribute to the rising incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Latin America. These findings suggest potential environmental influences on MS development.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence has reportedly increased in Mexico and Latin America over the past two decades.
- Investigating potential risk factors is crucial for understanding this epidemiological trend.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS) by examining patient antecedents.
- To explore the association between early life exposures and MS development in a Latin American population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- A questionnaire collected data on demographic, nutritional, infectious, and personal antecedents.
- Data from MS patients were compared with a control group.
Main Results:
- A higher frequency of varicella (chickenpox), ephemeral breastfeeding, and childhood eczema was observed in the medical history of MS patients compared to controls.
- These factors appeared to have a mutually additive effect.
- No significant association was found between these factors and clinical characteristics or disease severity in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- The decline in breastfeeding duration and the north-south gradient of varicella and childhood eczema incidence parallel MS trends.
- These environmental factors may play a role in the observed increase of MS in regions like Mexico, historically considered low-incidence areas.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking these factors to MS pathogenesis.
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