High frequency of adverse health behaviors in multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 105 - 113
• Main Authors: Marrie, RA, Horwitz, R, Cutter, G, Tyry, T, Campagnolo, D, Vollmer, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-01-2009; Sage Publications; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Disability Evaluation; Educational Status; Female; Health Behavior; Health Surveys; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology; Multiple Sclerosis - psychology; Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis; Multivariate Analysis; Neurology; Obesity - epidemiology; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk-Taking; Smoking - epidemiology; Socioeconomic Factors; epidemiology; multiple sclerosis; obesity; smoking; Obesity; Nervous system diseases; Multiple sclerosis; Nutrition disorder; Tobacco smoking; Epidemiology; Inflammatory disease; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Behavior; High frequency; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 1352-4585; 1477-0970
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458508096680

Background
Health behaviors influence chronic disease risks in the general population, and may influence health outcomes independently of comorbid diseases. Health behaviors receive less attention in multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. We assessed health behaviors among participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry and the demographic characteristics associated with particular health behaviors.
Methods
In October 2006, we surveyed NARCOMS participants regarding smoking using questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey; physical activity using questions from the PEPI study, alcohol use using the AUDIT-C; and height and weight. To determine the independent demographic predictors of health behaviors, we used multivariable logistic regression, either binary or polytomous as appropriate.
Results
Of 8983 responders, 4867 (54.2%) ever smoked; 1542 (17.3%) currently smoked. On the basis of the AUDIT-C, 1632 (18.2%) were at risk for alcohol abuse or dependence. A quarter of participants were obese (n = 2269), and 2780 (31.3%) were overweight. Fewer than 25% of participants reported moderate or heavy leisure-time physical activity. Generally, lower socioeconomic status was associated with a higher frequency of adverse health behaviors accounting for other demographic factors. With increasing levels of disability, the reported intensity of physical activity was lower, and the frequency of overweight or obesity was higher.
Conclusions
Patients with MS exhibit frequent adverse health behaviors, increasing the risk of other chronic diseases. Further research is needed to determine how these behaviors influence disability progression, quality of life, and other MS-related outcomes.