Ambient Air Quality and Occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis Relapse

Abstract

Infectious viruses and bacteria can trigger multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations. Seasonally changing concentrations of ambient air pollutants are known to predispose to transmissible infections, to induce systemic immune responses and to enhance existing peripheral inflammation. Ambient air quality and monthly MS relapse occurrence in south-western Finland were compared by multivariate logistic regression. The odds ratio of the risk of a relapse onset was over fourfold (4.143, p < 0.001) when the concentration of inhalable particulate matter (PM₁₀) was at the highest quartile. Inhalable airborne particulate matter concentrations were connected to relapse occurrence. Poor air quality may enhance the seasonal changes in MS relapse occurrence by an increased susceptibility to transmissible infections.

Multiple Sclerosis disease distribution and potential impact of environmental air pollutants in Georgia

“…Thus, because of the greater prevalence of MS around the largest metropolitan statistical area in GA, Atlanta, and the increasing MS ORs when organized by people per square mile, this study's results suggested a possible role of urban environmental factors in the MS distribution in GA. This coincides with previous studies that suggested that MS rates were positively correlated with per capita income, physicians per capita, steel consumption, and several other characteristics which may increase in cities (Mayer 1981) as well as increased air pollution and other environmental factors (Oikonen et al, 2003). While this relationship was somewhat weak for the self-reported male prevalence rates, it was stronger for the female prevalence rates.…”

“…Few studies have focused on the roles of environmental air in the incidence and progression of MS. One study on this subject was conducted in Finland by Oikonen et al (2003). In this study, the role of ambient air quality was found to be associated with MS prevalence.…”

“…In addition, while per-capita income has been seen in some studies as associated with MS (Mayer 1981, Catanzaro et al 1992, PM-10 has never before been shown to be associated with MS prevalence rates; however, PM-10 has been shown to be associated with MS relapse in one study conducted in Finland (Oikonen et al 2003). …”

Urban air quality and associations with pediatric multiple sclerosis

“…To our knowledge, the current study is the first to have looked at potential sources through industrial output and examine childhood exposure and MS risk. In other adult MS studies, increased exposure to larger particulate matter (PM 10 ) was related to both increased risk for MS in adults20, 23 and MS relapse using hospitalization records 18, 19, 24…”

“…Although some adult MS studies have suggested a relationship between air constituents and MS,18, 19, 20 not all of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria air pollutants have been assessed, including fine PM 2.5 , ground level ozone precursors, and lead. Furthermore, the proximity of MS patients to industrial facilities that release toxic chemicals into the air has yet to be explored.…”