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The increased risk of multiple sclerosis associated with a specific genetic variant and smoking is modified by alcohol consumption
Not drinking alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), especially if a person also is a current or former smoker, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.
Previous studies have observed an inverse association between alcohol consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk. The study aimed to investigate possible interactions between alcohol consumption, MS-associated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and smoking regarding MS risk.
2,059 people with MS, and 2,887 healthy individuals, used as controls, were matched to patients by age, sex, and area of residence. Across both groups, roughly one-third of participants reported never drinking alcohol, and about half had smoked cigarettes in their lifetime.
Using statistical analyses, the researchers calculated the effect of alcohol consumption on MS risk, taking into account smoking status as well as whether or not individuals were positive for a genetic variation known to increase the risk of MS (HLA-DRB1*15:01).
The results showed that alcohol consumption was tied to a lower risk of MS — never-drinkers were roughly 20% more likely to develop the disease. This reduction in risk was more pronounced among current and past smokers than never-smokers.
Further analyses showed that people with all three risk factors — never-drinkers, those who had ever smoked cigarettes, and individuals positive for the variant — were about seven times more likely to develop MS, compared with those who had none of these risk factors.
The researchers say that a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the findings may help to define ways to achieve protection against MS by other means than alcohol consumption.
Source: Hedström, A.K., Olsson, T. & Alfredsson, L. The increased risk of multiple sclerosis associated with HLA-DRB1*15:01 and smoking is modified by alcohol consumption. Sci Rep 11, 21237 (2021). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00578-y
Previous studies have observed an inverse association between alcohol consumption and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk. The study aimed to investigate possible interactions between alcohol consumption, MS-associated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and smoking regarding MS risk.
2,059 people with MS, and 2,887 healthy individuals, used as controls, were matched to patients by age, sex, and area of residence. Across both groups, roughly one-third of participants reported never drinking alcohol, and about half had smoked cigarettes in their lifetime.
Using statistical analyses, the researchers calculated the effect of alcohol consumption on MS risk, taking into account smoking status as well as whether or not individuals were positive for a genetic variation known to increase the risk of MS (HLA-DRB1*15:01).
The results showed that alcohol consumption was tied to a lower risk of MS — never-drinkers were roughly 20% more likely to develop the disease. This reduction in risk was more pronounced among current and past smokers than never-smokers.
Further analyses showed that people with all three risk factors — never-drinkers, those who had ever smoked cigarettes, and individuals positive for the variant — were about seven times more likely to develop MS, compared with those who had none of these risk factors.
The researchers say that a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the findings may help to define ways to achieve protection against MS by other means than alcohol consumption.
Source: Hedström, A.K., Olsson, T. & Alfredsson, L. The increased risk of multiple sclerosis associated with HLA-DRB1*15:01 and smoking is modified by alcohol consumption. Sci Rep 11, 21237 (2021). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00578-y
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