Chronic diseases in male veterans with multiple sclerosis

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Sherri L Lavela1, Thomas R Prohaska, Sylvia Furner

  • 1Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Hines VA Hospital, 5000 S 5th Ave (151H), Hines, IL 60141, USA. Sherri.LaVela@va.gov

Preventing Chronic Disease
|February 11, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Male veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS) have high rates of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. These conditions are more common in MS patients compared to the general population, highlighting a need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Veterans' Health
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with increased chronic disease risk.
  • Understanding chronic disease prevalence in male veterans with MS is crucial for targeted healthcare.
  • Existing literature has gaps regarding chronic disease epidemiology in this specific demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify chronic health conditions disproportionately affecting male veterans diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
  • To compare the prevalence of chronic diseases in male veterans with MS against general veteran and population groups.

Main Methods:

  • Primary survey data collected from 1,142 male veterans with MS (2003-2004).
  • Secondary data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2003) for comparison groups (veterans without MS and general population).
  • Comparative analysis of disease prevalence and identification of associated variables in male veterans with MS.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (49%), hypertension (47%), diabetes (16%), coronary heart disease (11%), and stroke (7%) in male veterans with MS.
  • Significantly higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, and stroke in male veterans with MS compared to the general population.
  • Diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and stroke were more prevalent in male veterans with MS than in the general veteran population, with variations in significance for older age groups.

Conclusions:

  • Findings highlight significant chronic disease burdens in male veterans with MS, necessitating increased awareness.
  • Identified chronic diseases represent key priorities for focused interventions to reduce health disparities.
  • The study contributes to the understanding of chronic disease epidemiology in men with MS, particularly within a veteran cohort.

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