Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if infectious mononucleosis is a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS); and, if it is, whether its effect is close to or remote in time from the onset of MS. DESIGN: Analysis of database of linked abstracts of records of hospital admission and death. SETTING: Health region in central southern England. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Ratio of rate of MS in a cohort of people admitted to hospital with infectious mononucleosis to the rate in a comparison cohort. RESULTS: Considering all time intervals from admission with infection to admission with MS, there was a non-significant increase of risk of MS in the infectious mononucleosis cohort (rate ratio 2.17, 95% confidence intervals 0.79 to 4.77). At the interval of 10 years or more, there was a significant increase in risk of MS (rate ratio 4.01, 1.48 to 8.93). The mean time from infectious mononucleosis to first admission with MS was 14 years. CONCLUSION: This study adds support to the evidence that Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, is associated with MS. Its role is probably as an initiator of the disease process of MS, or as a contributor to its early development, rather than as an activator of latent, existing disease.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/jech.2003.018366

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Epidemiol Community Health

Publication Date

12/2004

Volume

58

Pages

1032 - 1035

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Age Distribution, England, Hospitalization, Humans, Infectious Mononucleosis, Medical Record Linkage, Multiple Sclerosis, Risk Factors