Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Rat Model of Widespread Cerebral Cortical Demyelination Induced by an Intracerebral Injection of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
Published on: September 21, 2021
Childhood pet ownership and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Laura Edwards1, Christopher Tench2
1Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3DT, England.
Background:
Many studies have been conducted investigating a range of environmental factors which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We collated available data about exposure to domestic animals before symptom onset in MS to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
Medline, Embase and Cinahl were searched for relevant articles, based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and reference lists were hand-searched. Data were extracted and critical analysis was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa criteria. Meta-analysis used random effects.
Results:
Study heterogeneity was high and study quality was variable. Random effects meta-analysis showed no associations with any pet ownership and development of MS.
Conclusion:
It is not possible to draw definitive conclusions from this work. The studies included had a high level of heterogeneity. There are many variables involved in pet ownership and exposure and the nature of the way these have been studied makes the analysis challenging.
