The association between multiple sclerosis and early psychiatric background

Abstract

BackgroundThe exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is unclear. Since its definition in the late 19th century, researchers have repeatedly suggested a connection between the disease and mental state. Studies have shown that mental symptoms tend to precede the initiation of the disease by up to ten years. However, the hypothesis that psychiatric issues might precede MS onset by longer periods has not been empirically established. This study seeks to fill this research gap. The current matched cohort study investigated the possibility that psychiatric conditions may precede the initiation of multiple sclerosis by 15 years or more MethodsA retrospective analysis utilizing the electronic database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), Israel's largest HMO, compared a group of 9,533 MS-diagnosed female and male individuals with 28,599 non-MS matched controls ResultsLogistic regression analysis revealed a significant association (p < 0.001) between MS diagnosis and prior psychiatric conditions, indicating a 93% increased likelihood of psychiatric history among those later diagnosed with MS compared with those who were not ConclusionsThe heightened probability of mental health issues preceding the onset of MS by extended durations suggests a potential etiological role in the development of MS, rather than solely representing a component of the prodromal stage of the disease. Limitations include the retrospective design and the need for prospective studies to validate these associations.