Comorbidities are prevalent and detrimental for employment outcomes in people of working age with multiple sclerosis.

Background: More work is needed to understand the burden of comorbidities in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To assess prevalence of 30 comorbidities and impacts of comorbidities on employment outcomes in a working-aged MS cohort.

Methods: Participants were from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study ( = 929).

Feelings of depression, pain and walking difficulties have the largest impact on the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis, irrespective of clinical phenotype.

Background: The symptoms that have the largest impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may vary by MS phenotype (relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS)). Knowing these symptoms assists in symptom management.

Objective: To examine the associations between 13 common MS symptoms and HRQoL in the total sample and stratified by MS phenotype.

Validation of 0-10 MS symptom scores in the Australian multiple sclerosis longitudinal study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom measurements often use multiple-item scales per symptom, creating a high burden when multiple symptoms are assessed. We aimed to examine the validity, stability and responsiveness of single-item 0-10 numeric rating MS Symptom Scores (MSSymS).

Methods: The study included 1,985 participants from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study.

Increasing prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis in Victoria, Australia.

Background And Aim: The prevalence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) reported in different countries varies significantly and in some parts of the world appears to be increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the 2013 prevalence of PBC in Victoria, Australia, and to determine the time trend by comparing it with previous studies undertaken in 1991 and 2002.

Methods: Four case-finding methods were used to identify cases of PBC in Victoria: (1) physicians' survey; (2) tertiary hospital search; (3) liver transplant database search; and (4) private pathology antimitochondrial antibody search.

Redefining the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS): The effect of sex and onset phenotype.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) is a widely used measure of the disability progression rate. However, the global MSSS may not be the best basis for comparison between all patient groups.

Objective: We evaluated sex-specific and onset phenotype-specific MSSS matrices to determine if they were more effective than the global MSSS as a basis for comparison within these subsets.

Does a modifiable risk factor score predict disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis?

Background: Risk factors for chronic disease include smoking, hazardous alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, unhealthy body mass index and poor diet (SNAP factors). In multiple sclerosis (MS) SNAP factors are associated with health outcomes such as disability in cross-sectional studies, but longitudinal data are lacking.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess whether a combined SNAP risk score predicts disability worsening.

Systemic predictors of adverse events in a national surgical mortality audit: analysis of peer-review data from Australia and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality.

Background: Peer review of surgical deaths can identify deficits in individual and systemic delivery of healthcare, ultimately informing quality improvement.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, cases reported to the Australia and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality were analysed. Variables associated with peer-judged adverse events were sought.

Predictors of Change in Employment Status and Associations with Quality of Life: A Prospective International Study of People with Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose This prospective international study aimed to assess the changes in employment, and predictors thereof, and associated change in mental health quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods People with MS were recruited online through social media, forums and newsletters to complete an online English-language survey in 2012 and again in 2015, to assess changes in employment and clinical characteristics. Results 1276 people with MS of working age were included of whom 35.

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a major impact on the relationship of couples living with the illness. Although some positives of dealing with MS as a couple have been identified, MS has been associated with higher rates of relationship breakdown and worse Quality of Life (QOL) for both people in the relationship, especially if the person with MS experiences a decline in mental or physical health or develops disability. Modification of lifestyle-related risk factors has been associated with improved outcomes for people with MS, including physical and mental health-related QOL, and these improved outcomes may lead to improved experiences for their partners.

Change in multiple sclerosis prevalence over time in Australia 2010-2017 utilising disease-modifying therapy prescription data.

Objective: Determine the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Australia in 2017 using MS-specific disease-modifying therapy (DMT) prescription data and estimate the change in prevalence from 2010.

Methods: DMT prescriptions were extracted from Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data for January-December 2017. Percentages of people with MS using DMTs (DMT penetrance) were calculated using data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study.

Latitude continues to be significantly associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis: an updated meta-analysis.

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated a strong latitudinal gradient in multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence. Herein, we present a meta-analysis of the latitudinal gradient of MS prevalence including studies published since our 2011 review, seeking to assess the latitudinal gradient and whether it has changed since our previous analysis.

Methods: Studies published up to December 2018 were located via Embase, Web of Knowledge and PubMed, using standardised search terms; data were extracted from peer-reviewed studies and these studies added to those from our previous analysis.

Cervical determinants of anal HPV infection and high-grade anal lesions in women: a collaborative pooled analysis.

Background: Cervical cancer screening might contribute to the prevention of anal cancer in women. We aimed to investigate if routine cervical cancer screening results-namely high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cytohistopathology-predict anal HPV16 infection, anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and, hence, anal cancer.

Methods: We did a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library for studies of cervical determinants of anal HPV and HSIL published up to Aug 31, 2018.

Modifiable factors associated with depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Modifiable lifestyle factors are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms but their role in mood is unclear. This study aimed to investigate associations between lifestyle and depression and anxiety in Australian participants with MS.

Materials And Methods: Self-reported data from the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and lifestyle measurements from 1500 participants.

Modelling the impact of multiple sclerosis on life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years and total lifetime costs: Evidence from Australia.

Objectives: To quantify life expectancy (LE), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and total lifetime societal costs for a hypothetical cohort of Australians with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A 4-state Markov model simulated progression from no/mild to moderate and severe disability and death for a cohort of 35-year-old women over a lifetime horizon. Death risks were calculated from Australian life tables, adjusted by disability severity.

Role of gene on oil tea-induced glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes: an animal experiment and a case-control study.

Background: Oil tea is a type of traditional tea beverage used for treating various ailments in minority population in Guangxi, China. Our previous study showed oil tea improved glucose and lipid levels in type 2 diabetic mice. Yet, the underling molecular mechanisms are still not understood.

Associations of demographic and clinical factors with depression over 2.5-years in an international prospective cohort of people living with MS.

Background: Depression is highly prevalent among people with MS, and determinants thereof would be useful.

Objectives: We examined the relationship of demographic and clinical factors with positive depression-screen and change in depression over 2.5 years in people with MS.

Lipid-related genetic polymorphisms significantly modulate the association between lipids and disability progression in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To investigate whether lipid-related or body mass index (BMI)-related common genetic polymorphisms modulate the associations between serum lipid levels, BMI and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: The association between disability progression (annualised Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change over 5 years, ΔEDSS) and lipid-related or BMI-related genetic polymorphisms was evaluated in a longitudinal cohort (n=184), diagnosed with MS. We constructed a cumulative genetic risk score (CGRS) of associated polymorphisms (p<0.

Differential multiple sclerosis treatment allocation between Australia and New Zealand associated with clinical outcomes but not mood or quality of life.

Background: Differential treatment allocation may impact on clinical phenotype in MS and in turn upon quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: (a) Investigate the association between disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) use and relapse frequency, disability, clinically significant fatigue, and physical and mental health-related QoL among participants with MS residing in Australia and New Zealand (NZ); (b) assess whether these associations differed between Australia and NZ.

Methods: Disability and fatigue were measured by PDDS and FSS, respectively.

Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the potential of vitamin D to prevent acute respiratory infections have yielded mixed results. Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis has the potential to identify factors that may explain this heterogeneity.

Objectives: To assess the overall effect of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and to identify factors modifying this effect.

Health Outcomes and Lifestyle in a Sample of People With Multiple Sclerosis (HOLISM): Longitudinal and Validation Cohorts.

To report the methodology and summary data of the Health Outcomes and Lifestyle In a Sample of people with Multiple sclerosis (HOLISM) longitudinal and validation cohorts. We report (1) data on participation, socio-demographics, disease characteristics, medication use, modifiable lifestyle risk factor exposures, and health outcomes of the HOLISM longitudinal cohort 2.5-years post enrolment; (2) attrition at this 2.

Longitudinal Associations of the Healthy Lifestyle Index Score With Quality of Life in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

To explore the association between combined lifestyle risk factors with quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) over 2.5 years. People with MS were recruited to participate in a comprehensive online survey regarding their demographic and clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and lifestyle behaviors including physical activity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, body mass index, and dietary habits measured at baseline and 2.

Longitudinal Associations of Modifiable Lifestyle Factors With Positive Depression-Screen Over 2.5-Years in an International Cohort of People Living With Multiple Sclerosis.

Depression is common and has a significant impact on quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A preventive management approach via modification of lifestyle risk factors holds potential benefits. We examined the relationship between modifiable lifestyle factors and depression risk and the change in depression over 2.

Estimation of annual probabilities of changing disability levels in Australians with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Transition probabilities are the engine within many health economics decision models. However, the probabilities of progression of disability due to multiple sclerosis (MS) have not previously been estimated in Australia.

Objectives: To estimate annual probabilities of changing disability levels in Australians with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).