skip to page content
Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

Modifiable Risk Factors in the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiology and Treatment

Click for list of published reports
Click for topic nomination form
Click for list of reports in progress

Subscribe to the
ESP Report RSS feed RSS feed icon
Modifiable Risk Factors in the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of the Epidemiology and Treatment

Principal Investigator: Susanne Hempel, PhD; Paul Shekelle, MD, PhD
Co-investigators: Ning Fu, PhDc; Elena Estrada, BS, BA, MS; Annie Chen, BS, BA

Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP) Center, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs; December 2015


Download PDF: Complete Report, Executive Summary, Report, Appendices

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common progressive disease of the central nervous system in young adults and the cause of serious physical disability in adults of working age. Epidemiologic data suggest that rates of MS vary with demographic and environmental factors. The disease presentation is very heterogeneous with diverse clinical manifestations. Progression of MS may vary with modifiable risk factors.

This systematic review focused on modifiable risk factors and exposures that are associated with MS progression, and interventions that are directed at modifiable risk factors to delay progression.

The Key Questions (KQs) were:


KQ1: What modifiable epidemiologic factors are related to multiple sclerosis progression following diagnosis?

KQ2: What environmental exposures prior to or during military service are related to multiple sclerosis progression following onset symptoms?

KQ3: Among identified risk factors for progression, what treatment/risk factor modification therapies have been shown to delay or hasten the progression of multiple sclerosis once it has initiated?


See also

Systematic Review: Modifiable Risk Factors in the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis (Management eBrief)

Hempel S, Graham GD, Fun N, et al. A systematic review of modifiable risk factors in the progression of multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Published online ahead of print February 2, 2017. DOI: 10.1177/1352458517690270.

Hempel S, Graham GD, Fu N, et al. A systematic review of the effects of modifiable risk factor interventions on the progression of multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. Published online ahead of print February 2, 2017. DOI: 10.1177/1352458517690271.


Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.