title: Secondary health conditions in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional web-based survey analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of secondary health conditions in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) with age-matched U.S. general population norms.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected using a Web-based survey from members of the greater Midwest MS society chapter. Questions were modeled from the National Health Interview Survey to assess the presence of six health conditions. Self-reported health conditions among the sample were compared to U.S. general population norms from the National Health Interview Survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with MS reported higher rates of depression, arthritis, diabetes, coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, and cancer than the normative population. Although the rates of health conditions increased with age in the normative sample, the MS sample showed a curvilinear (bimodal) pattern as a function of age for some secondary health conditions.
authors: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Pamela Newland, RN PhD CMSRN, at pamela.newland@bjc.org. She is an Assistant Professor, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, St. Louis, MO. Mark P. Jensen, PhD, is a Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Chakra Budhathoki, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD. Rebecca Lorenz, RN PhD, is an Associate Professor, Saint Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, MO.
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Newland
authors: Mark P
authors: MP
authors: Jensen
authors: Chakra
authors: C
authors: Budhathoki
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Lorenz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D012042:Registries; D055815:Young Adult