title: Oral contraceptives and reproductive factors in multiple sclerosis incidence.
abstract: Data from the Oxford.FPA prospective study show that oral contraceptive use and pregnancy have no discernible effect on the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Women of parity 0-2 developed MS twice as often as women of parity 3 or more but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Smoking may be a risk factor for developing MS. A nested case-control analysis did not identify any associations between MS onset and preceding illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, England.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villard-Mackintosh
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Vessey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010298:Parity / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral