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Relation Between Smoking and Disability Progression in Iranian Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Case-Control Study.
Fereshteh Ashtari1, Mahtab Sardashti Birjandi1, Iman Adibi1
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan Neuroscience Research Center, Isfahan, Iran.
Cigarette smoking is linked to more severe multiple sclerosis (MS) outcomes, including higher disability and relapse rates. Longer smoking duration before MS onset correlates with increased disease progression and disability scores.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Investigating lifestyle factors like smoking is crucial for understanding MS.
- Cigarette smoking's impact on MS patient characteristics requires detailed comparison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical and demographic characteristics of multiple sclerosis patients who smoke versus those who do not.
- To identify potential associations between smoking habits and MS disease parameters.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 136 MS smokers and 220 MS non-smokers.
- Data were collected via questionnaires from patients at the Kashani MS center in Isfahan, Iran.
- Statistical analysis compared characteristics between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Smokers had a significantly higher proportion of males (64.7% vs. 15%) and annual relapse rates (80% vs. 64%).
- Higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (≥4.5) were observed in smokers (26.5% vs. 18%).
- Longer duration of smoking before MS onset was associated with higher disability scores and affected disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Smoking may be linked to increased disability and disease progression in multiple sclerosis patients.
- The duration of smoking prior to MS onset appears to influence disability scores.
- Further research is recommended to validate the relationship between smoking and MS severity.
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