Research: Other conditions in MSers

Marrie RA et al. Rising prevalence of vascular comorbidities in multiple sclerosis: validation of administrative definitions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia Mult Scler J Feb 2012

Background: Despite the importance of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS), methods for comorbidity assessment in MS are poorly developed.

Objective: We validated and applied administrative case definitions for diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) in MS.

Methods: Using provincial administrative data we identified persons with MS and a matched general population cohort. Case definitions for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were derived using hospital, physician, and prescLinkription claims, and validated in 430 persons with MS. We examined temporal trends in the age-adjusted prevalence of these conditions from 1984–2006.

Results: The 2005 age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes was similar in the MS (7.62%) and general populations (8.31%; prevalence ratio [PR] 0.91; 0.81–1.03). The age-adjusted prevalence did not differ for hypertension (MS: 20.8% versus general: 22.5% [PR 0.91; 0.78–1.06]), or hyperlipidemia (MS: 13.8% versus general: 15.2% [PR 0.90; 0.67–1.22]). The prevalence of all conditions rose in both populations over the study period.

Conclusion: Administrative data are a valid means of tracking diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in MS. The prevalence of these comorbidities is similar in the MS and general populations.

Fat in Blood

So in a different current study the development of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol did not associate with having MS. This is yet another example where inconsistent results are found. This study is based on 430 people in Canada verses thousands more in the study of US military. Are the different occurrances of these problems, due to differneces in study design or perhaps the different populations of people being studied?

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