Investigating the Relationship between Environmental Factors and the Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Three Regions of Iran: A Case-control Study
Advances in Nursing & Midwifery,
Vol. 34 No. 1 (2025),
15 January 2025
,
Page 35-43
https://doi.org/10.22037/anm.v34i1.48267
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most prevalent debilitating neurological diseases among
young people. Multiple sclerosis is a multifactorial disease in which both environmental and genetic
factors are involved. Despite numerous studies conducted in this field, it remains a challenging topic.
Therefore the present study aimed to explore the environmental factors associated with multiple
sclerosis.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2020-21 in three geographical areas of Iran. A
total number of 445 subjects were included in the study, among whom 172 belonged to the case group
and 273 to the control group. The inclusion criteria for patients were the confirmation of the disease
by a neurologist, the age range from 15 to 50 years, full consciousness, not having acute or critical
conditions of MS disease. The inclusion criteria for healthy subjects were not having the MS, not having
any neuro-inflammatory peripheral disease, not having a cancer. The patient participants were
randomly selected from the medical records of the MS Association of each city. The control group was
randomly selected from among the people visiting the medical centers of each city. The collected data
were punched into SPSS 20. Descriptive and inferential statistics including mean, standard deviation,
frequency and chi-square were used to describe the research variables. Mann-Whitney U-test was used
to compare the mean of interval variables in two groups, and chi-square test was used to determine the
relationship between qualitative variables in two groups. A logistic regression analysis was used to
estimate the relationship between risk factors and the disease.
Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the duration of
sunbathing , OCP, gender , history of blood transfusion , family history of MS , history of crisis , physical
activity before illness , history of accident , job, ethnicity, predominant type of cooking, consumption
of liquids and tea, salt consumption, Infant nutrition, consumption of vegetables and chicken,
consumption of canned food, dairy products, nuts and beans (p<0.05).Bivariate logistic regression
analysis of factors associated with multiple sclerosis showed that the most influential factors in the
disease were: positive family history, history of accidents and trauma, baby nursing, and a high-salt diet
(p <0.05).
Conclusions: The successful control of this disease depends on the identification of the complex
network of factors. Despite the many researches about the factors related to MS, it seems that this issue
has many complications and detailed and advanced studies should be done in this field. By better
understanding these factors, we can create preventative strategies to reduce the risk of developing MS,
develop more effective treatments, and lessen the burden of the disease on affected individuals and
society
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Environmental Factors
- Factors
- Case Control Study
How to Cite
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