Higher weight in adolescence and young adulthood is associated with an earlier age at multiple sclerosis onset. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kavak, Katelyn S; Teter, Barbara E; Hagemeier, Jesper; Zakalik, Karen; Weinstock-Guttman, Bianca
• Other Names: Edwards Keith non-byline-author.; Goodman Andrew non-byline-author.; Gottesman Malcolm non-byline-author.; Herbert Joseph non-byline-author.; Kister Ilya non-byline-author.; Jubelt Burk non-byline-author.; Coyle Patricia non-byline-author.; Krupp Lauren non-byline-author.; Lenihan Michael non-byline-author.; Gerber Allen non-byline-author.; Perel Allan non-byline-author.; Zivadinov Robert non-byline-author.; Granger Carl non-byline-author.
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 7(2015)
• Page Start: 858
• Page End: 865
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- obesity -- weight -- body mass index (BMI) -- age at onset -- menarche; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514555787
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Growing evidence suggests an association between adolescent obesity and increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The objective of this paper is to investigate whether weight or body mass index (BMI) in adolescence and young adulthood was associated with age at MS symptom onset. Methods: Our cohort is comprised of a sub-group of 184 women enrolled in the New York State MS Consortium registry. Individuals were asked to recall their weight at the time of first menstruation and at age 25. BMI was calculated accordingly for age 25. Regression analyses were carried out to investigate the association between weight or BMI and age at onset. Results: Weight at menarche was significantly related to younger age at symptom onset (β = −0.073, p = 0.001). These results were also found at age 25 for weight (β = −0.080, p < 0.001) and BMI (β = −0.448, p = 0.001). Significantly earlier disease onset (26.9 years ±9.9) was observed in individuals who were overweight at 25 compared to those who were not overweight (32.1 years ±9.2, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Women who reported higher weight in adolescence and BMI in early adulthood were younger at MS onset. Future research should investigate whether there is a causal link between body weight and MS, as prevention lifestyle and dietary interventions could be implemented.