title: Smoking increases the risk of multiple sclerosis in Queensland, Australia.
abstract: There is growing evidence for the role of smoking in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have undertaken a large case-control study of smoking in MS and assessed this using a regression model. We have confirmed an association between increased risk of MS and smoking in Queensland, Australia, a region of intermediate risk for MS. The overall adjusted odds ratio was 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.5-2.5) for ever smokers. There was no statistically significant difference in the risks for males and females. A number of potential mechanisms to explain this association have been postulated including direct and indirect (via vitamin D) effects on the immune system.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD, Australia; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: cullenogorman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bukhari
authors.affiliation: Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD, Australia; Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Broadley
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Case-control studies; Multiple sclerosis; Risk factors in epidemiology