Epub: Simpson et al. Physical and mental health comorbidity is common in people with multiple sclerosis: nationally representative cross-sectional population database analysis. BMC Neurol. 2014;14(1):128.
BACKGROUND: Comorbidity in MS is associated with worse health and higher mortality. This study aims to describe clinician recorded comorbidities in MSers.
METHODS: 39 comorbidities in 3826 MSers aged >=25 years were compared against 1,268,859 controls. Results were analysed by age, gender, and socioeconomic status, with unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) calculated using logistic regression.
RESULTS: MSers were more likely to have one (OR 2.44; 95%CI 2.26-2.64), two (OR 1.49; 95%CI 1.38-1.62), three (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.69-2.04), four or more (OR 1.61; 95%CI 1.47-1.77) non-MS chronic conditions than controls, and greater mental health comorbidity (OR 2.94; 95%CI 2.75-3.14), which increased as the number of physical comorbidities rose. Cardiovascular conditions, including atrial fibrillation (OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.36-0.67), chronic kidney disease (OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.40-0.65), heart failure (OR 0.62; 95%CI 0.45-0.85), coronary heart disease (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.52-0.71), and hypertension (OR 0.65; 95%CI 0.59-0.72) were significantly less common in MSers.
CONCLUSION: MSers have excess multiple chronic conditions, with associated increased mental health comorbidity. The low recorded cardiovascular comorbidity warrants further investigation.