Abstract: EP1264
Type: e-Poster
Abstract Category: Epidemiology
Objective: The objective of this study is to determine coexisting autoimmune diseases in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and also to investigate the frequency of MS and other autoimmune diseases in their relatives.
Background: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder influnced by genetic and enviromental factors. There are studies reported in the literature suggesting that autoimmune diseases cluster in families or in a single patient, also known as familial autoimmunity and polyautoimmunity respectively.
Methods: 114 consecutive multiple sclerosis and clinic isolated syndrome patients were included in this study. The variables included age, gender, age of onset, disease duration, type of MS, coexisting autoimmune disease. Family history information obtained from the patients themselves or from their caregivers if the patient had cognitive impairment.
Results: Seventy four (%65) of the patients were women, forty (%35) were men; ratio 1.9:1. The age of the patients were between 19-76 (mean age 43) years. Disease duration was between 1-50 (mean 12) years. Of the 114 patients, 76 (%67) had relapsing-remitting MS, 24 (%21) had secondary progressive MS, 5 (%4) had primary progressive MS and 9 (%8) had clinic isolated syndrome. Seventy two patients (%63) had either coexisting autoimmune disease or positive family history of MS or other autoimmune disease. Thirty four (%30) patients, had at least one first or second degree relative with MS. Twenty five (%22) patients, had an autoimmune disease coexisting MS. The most common were allergy (%14), Hashimoto thyroiditis (%4), acute rheumatic fever in childhood (%2),type 1 diabetes (%2). Fortyfour (%39) patients had at least one relative with autoimmune disease other than MS. The most common were Hashimoto thyroiditis (%14), rheumatoid arthritis (%11), allergy (%11), systemic lupus erythematosus (%3), myasthenia gravis (%3), type 1 diabetes (%3).
Conclusion: The present study has shown that familial autoimmunity and polyautoimmunity is a frequent seen condition in Turkish speaking Cypriot population. Familal MS rate is higher than it is in other countries. Further studies with control groups are needed to find out about the coexistence of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders in Cyprus.
Disclosure:
Sila Usar İncirli: Nothing to disclosure
Ferda Selcuk Muhtaroglu: Nothing to disclosure
Aksel Siva - Disclosure - March 2015Dr. Siva reports receiving research grants to hisdepartment from The Scientific and Technological Research Council OfTurkey - Health Sciences Research Grants numbers: 109S070 and 112S052.;and also unrestricted research grants from Merck-Serono. ClinicalNeuroimmunology Unit. Dr Siva also reports receiving honoraria or consultation fees from BiogenIdec/Gen Pharma of Turkey, Novartis and Teva. He had received travel andregistration coverage for attending several national or internationalcongresses or symposia, from Merck Serono, Biogen Idec/Gen Pharma ofTurkey,Novartis and Teva. Dr. Siva has given educational presentationsat programmes & symposiaprepared by Excemed internationally and at nationalmeetings and symposia sponsored by Bayer-Schering AG; Merck-Serono;.Novartis and Teva-Turkey; Biogen Idec/Gen Pharma of Turkey.