Obesity linked to increased risk of multiple sclerosis in children

(HealthDay) – Obesity appears to be badociated with an increased likelihood of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children, according to a study published online July 15 in JAMA Neurology.

Brenda Huppke, MD, of the University Medical Center of Göttingen, Germany, and her colleagues examined the correlation of obesity with the risk of MS in children and the response to first-line treatment in one study. retrospective. A total of 453 pediatric MS patients with relapsing relapse and one measurement of body mbad index taken within six months of diagnosis were included in the study.

The researchers found that 126 patients (27.8%) were either overweight or obese at the time of diagnosis, and that obesity was badociated with a significant increase in MS odds in both girls and boys ( Probability ratios, 2.19 and 2.14, respectively). Compared to non-obese patients, obese patients had statistically more relapses for first-line treatment with interferon beta and glatiramer acetate (annualized relapse rate of 1.29 vs. 0.72) and a higher rate of second-line treatment (56.8 versus 38.7%).

"The results do not indicate that obesity promotes greater disease activity, but pharmacokinetic factors are more likely to be badociated with treatment response," the authors write. "This suggestion may have relevant management implications, since a healthy weight can potentially optimize treatment outcomes and reduce the burden of illness and health care costs."

Several authors have revealed financial links with the pharmaceutical industry.

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