Allergic phenotypes and asthma in multiple sclerosis: Epidemiologic and genetic relationships

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and allergic disorders (ADs) are classically seen as immunologically distinct, and prior studies suggest potential inverse associations and overlapping genetic contributors.

Compare the prevalence of asthma, and dietary and environmental allergic phenotypes in persons with MS (PwMS) versus unaffected controls, compare AD prevalence by MS clinical course, and evaluate associations between MS genetic risk, HLA-DRB1*15:01 and a non-MHC genetic risk score (GRS), and ADs in PwMS.

We analyzed survey and genotype data from 1542 PwMS and 700 controls from the Accelerated Cure Project. Logistic regression models were adjusted for key confounders. Genetic analyses included 1252 unrelated non-Hispanic White PwMS, assessing the main effects of HLA-DRB1*15:01 and the GRS. Benjamini-Hochberg procedure controlled the false discovery rate.

PwMS had lower odds of seasonal allergies compared to controls (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96), with a non-significant reduction in primary progressive versus relapsing at onset MS (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.92). Among PwMS, HLA-DRB1*15:01 was associated with a higher odds of gluten allergies/intolerance, while the GRS was inversely associated with childhood-onset seasonal allergies.

MS is associated with reduced seasonal allergies. MS genetic risk factors appear to shape allergy susceptibility in PwMS.