Associations of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking With Disease Risk and Neurodegeneration in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom

Source:

Kleerekooper I, Chua S, Foster PJ, et al. Associations of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking With Disease Risk and Neurodegeneration in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e220902. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.0902

Key Points

Question  How are modifiable risk factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and obesity associated with disease risk and neurodegeneration in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Findings  This cross-sectional study of 71 981 individuals in the United Kingdom found that high alcohol consumption was associated with retinal features indicative of more severe neurodegeneration, whereas smoking was associated with higher odds of being diagnosed with MS.

Meaning  These findings suggest that current recommendations for the general population regarding smoking and moderating alcohol consumption may be particularly relevant for individuals who have been diagnosed with MS or who are at risk for the disease.