The EnvIMS Study: Design and Methodology of an International Case-Control Study of Environmental Risk Factors in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, often resulting in significant neurological disability. The causes of MS are not known; however, the incidence of MS is increasing, thereby suggesting that changes in lifestyle and/or environmental factors may be responsible. On this background, the Environmental Risk Factors in MS Study or EnvIMS study was designed to further explore the etiology of MS.

Body size and the risk of multiple sclerosis in Norway and Italy: the EnvIMS study.

Background: Obesity may be a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: We examined if body size influences the risk of MS in a population-based, case control study.

Methods: A total of 953 cases and 1717 controls from Norway and 707 cases and 1333 controls from Italy reported their body size by choosing a silhouette 1 to 9 (largest) every fifth year from age 5 to 30 and at time of study.

Notes on the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis, with special reference to dietary habits.

A hypothesis, based primarily on the occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Faroe Islands and supported by numerous analytical epidemiological studies, is described. It proposes that MS is caused by the interaction of a virus disease with intestinal pathology, e.g.

Sun exposure and multiple sclerosis risk in Norway and Italy: The EnvIMS study.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to estimate the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and measures of sun exposure in specific age periods in Norway and Italy.

Methods: A total of 1660 MS patients and 3050 controls from Italy and Norway who participated in a multinational case-control study (EnvIMS) reported sun habits during childhood and adolescence.

Results: A significant association between infrequent summer outdoor activity and increased MS risk was found in Norway and in Italy.

Season of infectious mononucleosis and risk of multiple sclerosis at different latitudes; the EnvIMS Study.

Background: Seasonal fluctuations in solar radiation and vitamin D levels could modulate the immune response against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and influence the subsequent risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Altogether 1660 MS patients and 3050 controls from Norway and Italy participating in the multinational case-control study of Environmental Factors In Multiple Sclerosis (EnvIMS) reported season of past infectious mononucleosis (IM).

Results: IM was generally reported more frequently in Norway (p=0.

An ecological study of industry in a high-risk region of multiple sclerosis.

The county of Värmland, Sweden, has shown a high frequency of multiple sclerosis in several investigations. It has been presented in three studies; a period prevalence study in 1925-1934, a mortality study during 1952-1992 and a prevalence investigation in 2002. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of industry in this high-risk area for multiple sclerosis.

Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Oppland County: a cross-sectional population-based study in a landlocked county of Eastern Norway.

OBJECTIVES - We report the prevalence and incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Oppland County, Norway. METHODS - Records from all patients diagnosed with MS at the two Oppland County hospitals, Gjøvik and Lillehammer during 1989-2001 were evaluated. In addition, all general practitioners in Oppland County reported their patients into the study.

Environmental risk factors in multiple sclerosis.

The etiology of multiple sclerosis is, at present, not definitely known, but genetic and environmental factors play a role in its causation. Environmental causes have a predominant impact. Epidemiologic research has contributed considerably to the identification of external risk factors in this multifactorial setting, but methodological constraints still play a major part.

Divergent risk of multiple sclerosis in two anabaptist communities in America.

A lowered risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in the Hutterite community residing mainly in southern Canada. In another anabaptist community, the Old Colony Mennonites (OCM), settled in Canada and spread to Latin America, only a large pedigree with an increased risk of autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes and three cases of MS, was reported. The prevalence of MS in the pedigree (3,158 per 100,000), even when observing its confidence interval, seems rather high, and the MS prevalence in the Mennonite general population is assumed at least to be equal to the Canadian rates.