Smoking can make multiple sclerosis ‘more active’

THE link between smoking and multiple sclerosis is “clearer than ever”, a charity has warned.

The MS Society has completed a major evidence review into the connection between smoking and the chronic lifelong and disabling condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord and has no cure.

One study found that quitting smoking could delay the onset of secondary progressive MS

– a form of the condition that has no treatment – by as much as eight years.

Research also found most people with MS do not realise the connection with smoking, despite the fact official guidance advises healthcare professionals to tell people as soon as they are diagnosed.

Now the charity is warning smoking can make MS more active, and worsen and speed up the accumulation of disability.

“Looking at all the evidence, it’s clear smoking can make MS worse and harder for the brain to fight the condition,” said Dr Susan Kohlhaas, the charity’s director of research.

“More than 100,000 people in the UK have MS and, in light of this review, we are encouraging and supporting every one of them who smokes to quit. It could make a difference to how their MS progresses.

“It’s not just people who have MS who need to be aware of this though, as people who smoke are more likely to develop MS than people who don’t.”

Research suggests smoking can cause further damage to the myelin sheath – the protective layer that surrounds the nerves, which is affected in people with MS.

This prevents messages getting through properly, causing common symptoms such as vision, mobility and cognitive problems.

Research also shows an association between smoking and the number and/or size of brain lesions appearing in MRI scans.

This increased damage could be the reason people with MS have less ability to fight the condition, or experience worse symptoms earlier.

Dr Waqar Rashid, consultant neurologist at St George’s Hospital, London, said people with the condition should be given clearer information about the link with smoking. He added: “Knowing that continuing to smoke might impact the disease and its progression could make a radical difference to some people.”