Concussion in adolescence and the risk of multiple sclerosis: A retrospective cohort study. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Povolo, Christopher A; Reid, Jennifer N; Shariff, Salimah Z; Welk, Blayne; Morrow, Sarah A
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 27:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- concussion -- prevalence -- risk factor; 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: 10.1177/1352458520908037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Physical trauma, specifically concussions sustained during adolescence, has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To examine the association between adolescent concussions and future MS diagnosis. Methods: This retrospective study using linked administrative databases from Ontario, Canada, identified 97, 965 adolescents (age 11–18 years) who sustained ⩾1 concussion and presented to an emergency department between 1992 and 2011. Cases were matched 1:3 with individuals who had not sustained a concussion based on age, sex, address, and index date. The primary outcome was MS diagnosis, using a validated MS diagnosis definition: ⩾1 hospitalization or ⩾5 physician billings within 2 years. Results: A concussion during adolescence was associated with a significantly increased risk of MS (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29, p = 0.03). Sex-specific analysis revealed that only males who sustained a concussion in adolescence had a raised risk of MS (HR = 1.41, p = 0.04). Conclusion: This study supports an association between concussions in adolescence and future MS diagnoses, highlighting the potentially serious long-term effects of concussions.