Around 3 million people globally have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Despite the disease prevalence, its cause is not explicit, a combination of factors can contribute to the development of Multiple Sclerosis at any stage in one’s life. In order to help determine potential researchers and scientists in many specialties, including Epidemiology, Immunology, and Genetics, have been conducting research and studies. Many results have been helpful; genetics, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, environmental factors, and demographics have been tied to having a link to MS development and diagnosis.
Multiple Sclerosis is not hereditary, however, gene composition can affect the development of MS. Approximately 200 genes can contribute in small ways to the development of MS. Moreover, patients tend to have a history of MS in their families and there is greater risk for a sibling to develop MS if the other sibling has developed Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, certain autoimmune diseases have been tied with increased risk for developing MS. Specifically, Type 1 diabetes, Psoriasis, Pernicious Anemia, Thyroid Disorders, and Inflammatory Bowel disease are all correlated with an increased MS risk. Many Infectious diseases have been studied to determine a link with an increased risk too, such as measles, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), and Chlamydia pneumonia. Most prominently, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can increase the risk of developing MS more than 20 times. EBV is a virus of the herpes family and is the most common virus in humans. It is important to note that MS is not contagious like infectious diseases, it can though trigger disease symptoms and activity.
Furthermore, MS is more prevalent in temperate climates and in regions farther from the equator. This is seen through the risk Vitamin D deficiency plays in the development of MS. Vitamin D is necessary for bone health and regulating the immune system, and the vitamin poses a source to protect the body from MS. Additionally, smokers have a 50% increased chance of developing MS and obesity can lead to inflammation allowing for MS to develop, obese people are twice as likely to develop MS.
Yes, there are many factors to consider in the development of Multiple Sclerosis, but having one of the dispositions above doesn’t guarantee that you will develop the disease. In fact, 0.5% risk for MS development in the general population.
Works Cited
EM;, Nourbakhsh B;Mowry. “Multiple Sclerosis Risk Factors and pathogenesis6.” Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31162307/.
Marisa Wexler, MS. “Possible Causes and Risk Factors of MS.” Multiple Sclerosis News Today, 4 Nov. 2022, https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/risk-factors-for-multiple-sclerosis/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20leading%20cause,autoimmune%20disorder%20by%2032%20times.
Marta Figueiredo, PhD. “Epstein-Barr May Be Leading Cause of MS, Raising Risk by 32 Times.” Multiple Sclerosis News Today, 19 Jan. 2022, https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2022/01/13/epstein-barr-virus-may-be-leading-cause-of-multiple-sclerosis/?utm_source=MS&utm_campaign=e31c5d8e20-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_US&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b5fb7a3dae-e31c5d8e20-74165465.
“Multiple Sclerosis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 Dec. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269#:~:text=The%20risk%20for%20MS%20in,Barr%20virus%2C%20which%20causes%20mono.
“What Causes Ms?” National Multiple Sclerosis Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/What-Causes-MS.
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