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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:07
Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
Published on: October 22, 2020
Smoking is a risk factor for early conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis.
F Di Pauli1, M Reindl, R Ehling
1Clinical Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|July 18, 2008
Summary
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) after a clinically isolated syndrome. Smokers converted to definite MS faster than non-smokers, highlighting smoking as a modifiable risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) development and disease progression.
- The impact of smoking on the early conversion from a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to definite MS requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if smoking is a risk factor for early conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) following a CIS.
- To assess the association between smoking status and disease progression in patients with CIS.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 129 patients with CIS, characterized by disseminated white-matter lesions on MRI and positive oligoclonal bands in CSF, was studied.
- Smoking status was recorded at the time of the initial CIS diagnosis.
- Patients were followed for 36 months to monitor conversion to CDMS and time to first relapse.
Main Results:
- During the 36-month follow-up, 75% of smokers converted to CDMS compared to 51% of non-smokers.
- Smokers experienced a significantly shorter time to their first relapse.
- The hazard ratio for progression to CDMS was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2-2.8) in smokers versus non-smokers (P = 0.008).
Conclusions:
- Smoking is associated with an increased risk of early conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis after a clinically isolated syndrome.
- Smoking represents an independent, yet modifiable, risk factor for multiple sclerosis disease progression.
- Smoking cessation counseling is recommended for patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome.
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