Authors: Fardowsa L. A. Yusuf, Feng Zhu, Charity Evans, John D. Fisj, Yinshan Zhao, Ruth A. Marrie, Dr. Helen Tremlett
Title: Gastrointestinal conditions in the multiple sclerosis prodrome
Summary: A new publication by Dr. Helen Tremlett aimed to explore the connection between gastrointestinal (GI) issues and the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) or the initial signs of nerve damage. Dr. Tremlett’s team analyzed medical records from 1996 to 2013. They studied two groups: one identified through administrative data and another diagnosed at an MS clinic. They compared these groups with matched control groups (i.e., healthy individuals) to examine GI-related doctor visits and medication use five years before the first MS symptoms appeared.
The results showed that individuals later diagnosed with MS had higher rates of doctor visits for specific GI problems like gastritis, duodenitis, and esophageal diseases before they experienced any MS-related symptoms. Additionally, they were more likely to have received medications for constipation, nausea, and drugs that promote bowel movements (propulsives) compared to the control groups. Men, in particular, showed a higher risk for using propulsive medications than women.
These findings suggest that GI issues might be linked to the early stages of MS, even before the typical symptoms appear. This implies that GI symptoms could serve as indicators or warnings of the onset of MS, and there might be a difference in how these symptoms manifest in men and women during the early phases of the disease.
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