Food allergies are associated with increased disease activity in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe association between allergy and multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. In our study, we assessed the association between a self-reported history of allergic conditions with MS clinical and MRI disease activity.MethodsA subset of 1349 patients enrolled in the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (CLIMB) study completed a self-administered questionnaire on environmental, food and drug allergies. Patients were distributed among four allergy groups: (1) environmental, (2) food, (3) drug, (4) no known allergies (NKA). Clinical (number of attacks, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), MS severity score (MSSS)) and radiological variables (presence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions and lesion count), and their associations with the different allergy groups or those with NKA, were assessed.ResultsThe food allergy group had a 1.38 times higher rate for cumulative number of attacks compared with the NKA group (P=0.0062); this difference remained significant in the adjusted analysis (relapse rate ratio 1.27, P=0.0305). The food allergy group showed more than twice the likelihood (OR 2.53, P=0.0096) of having gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI. The environmental and drug allergy groups did not show significant differences when compared with the NKA group. The EDSS and MSSS were not affected by any type of allergy.ConclusionsMS patients with food allergy had more relapses and a higher likelihood of gadolinium-enhancing lesions compared with patients with no known allergy. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings and investigate underlying biological mechanisms, which may unveil new therapeutic and preventative strategies for MS.

The Post-hunter-gatherer Era Microbes Hypothesis for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

“…Traditional food allergy tests have revealed connections between food allergies and some CIDs. For instance, a study showed that multiple sclerosis patients with food allergy had greater disease severity than those without food allergy [237], however, conflicting results indicate the need for more research [238]. In a subset of rheumatoid arthritis patients, a study using skin prick testing for food allergy detection [239] found a number of foods that affected symptoms and inflammatory markers.…”

Food allergies and multiple sclerosis

“…In their JNNP article, Fakih et al 3 show that patients with MS and self-reported food allergies have more relapses and a higher likelihood of gadolinium-enhancing lesions compared with patients with no known allergies. Using a well-validated cohort from a single centre, 1349 patients with MS were asked about environmental, food and drug allergies.…”

Efficacy of diet on fatigue, quality of life and disability status in multiple sclerosis patients: rapid review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…The CLIMB study evaluated the association between a self-reported history of allergic conditions with the MS clinic and magnetic resonance imaging activity. The rate of the cumulative number of attacks was 1.48 times higher in patients with MS and food allergies compared to unknown allergies, and the probability of having gadolinium-enhanced lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was more than twice [ 48 ].…”