Adherence to a healthy lifestyle and multiple sclerosis: a case–control study from the UK Biobank. (3rd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veronese, Nicola; Yang, Lin; Piccio, Laura; Smith, Lee; Firth, Joseph; Marx, Wolfgang; Giannelli, Gianluigi; Caruso, Maria Gabriella; Cisternino, Anna Maria; Notarnicola, Maria; Donghia, Rossella; Barbagallo, Mario; Fontana, Luigi
• Is Part Of: Nutritional neuroscience. Volume 25:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1231
• Page End: 1239
• Publication Date: 2022-06-03
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- healthy lifestyle -- healthy diet -- smoking -- obesity -- exercise -- UK biobank; Neuropharmacology -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2020.1846357
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1028-415X

Abstract

ABSTRACT : Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common and disabling condition. The importance of healthy lifestyle for this disease is poorly explored. Objective: To test whether adherence to healthier lifestyle patterns is associated with a lower presence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: By using a case–control design, we investigated the combined association of four healthy lifestyle-related factors (no current smoking, healthy diet, exercising regularly, body mass index <30 kg/m 2 ) and the prevalence of MS. A logistic regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounders, was used and data reported as odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: 728 participants with MS were matched with healthy controls ( n = 2, 912) using a propensity score approach. In a multivariable analysis, compared to those who scored low in the composite lifestyle score (0–1 healthy lifestyle factors), people who adopted all four low risk lifestyle factors showed a 71% lower odds of having MS ( OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15–0.56). Moreover, there was a strong linear trend, suggesting that the higher number of healthy lifestyle behaviors was associated with lower odds of having MS. Conclusion: Following a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower prevalence of MS. This association should be explored further in cohort studies.