Parity and secondary progression in multiple sclerosis
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Medical Update Memo
June 8, 2009
SUMMARY
Pregnancy has a well-documented effect on relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS), whereas little is known about the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on the risk of secondary progression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 Jun;80(6):676-8
DETAILS
It is known that MS more frequently affects women than men. It is also known that relapses occur less frequently during pregnancy, and that there is a rebound effect with an increase in relapse frequency after delivery. All these facts indicate a hormonal involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease, especially in the appearance of relapses.
The association of the number of births and secondary progression was studied in a hospital-based cohort of 277 women with MS.The authors of this study aimed to investigate the influence of the number of births in the risk of development of secondary progression. They found no evidence that parity (the number of times a woman has given birth) could influence the risk of such progression after the relapsing-remitting phase.
National Research and Programs
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Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
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