Common comorbidities and survival in MS: Risk for stroke, type 1 diabetes and infections

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) survival has improved but remains lower than the general population.
• Comorbidities, particularly circulatory diseases, are increasingly recognized as factors affecting MS survival.
• Previous studies suggest a link between MS and increased risks for certain health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age- and gender-adjusted risks for circulatory diseases in MS patients.
• To determine the impact of these circulatory diseases on overall survival in an MS population.
• To analyze comorbidities and their association with mortality in Southwest Finland.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of hospital administrative data (ICD-10 codes) from 2004-2012.
• Inclusion of prevalent and new MS cases, with confirmed diagnoses via McDonald's criteria.
• Comparison with a matched control population using odds ratios (OR) and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Main Results:

• MS patients had a significantly lower survival probability (82.4 years) compared to controls (85.6 years).
• Circulatory diseases (ICD-10: I06-I71) were strongly associated with reduced survival in MS patients (log rank p < 0.001).
• Significant increased risks were observed for ischemic stroke (OR 1.49), hemorrhagic stroke (OR 2.5), and type 1 diabetes (OR 2.1) in MS patients.

Conclusions:

• High risks for stroke, type 1 diabetes, and infections in MS necessitate targeted risk recognition.
• The survival disadvantage linked to circulatory diseases in the general population is also evident in MS.
• Addressing these comorbidities is vital for reducing disease burden and premature mortality in MS.