The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches
Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share immunological underpinnings, leading to frequent co-occurrence. This study investigated the prevalence of AIDs among Polish patients with MS (PwMSs) and its potential effects on disease characteristics. The aims were to compare...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Magdalena Iwan Weronika Wójtowicz Jakub Milczarek Natalia Wyroba Zuzanna Wydrych Olga Falger Michalina Rzepka Tomasz Chmiela Mateusz Toś Joanna Siuda |
| author_facet | Magdalena Iwan Weronika Wójtowicz Jakub Milczarek Natalia Wyroba Zuzanna Wydrych Olga Falger Michalina Rzepka Tomasz Chmiela Mateusz Toś Joanna Siuda |
| author_sort | Magdalena Iwan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share immunological underpinnings, leading to frequent co-occurrence. This study investigated the prevalence of AIDs among Polish patients with MS (PwMSs) and its potential effects on disease characteristics. The aims were to compare clinical and demographic characteristics between PwMSs with and without coexisting AIDs. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 580 PwMSs who were treated at the Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center in Katowice, Poland, between February 2018 and August 2023. Variables analyzed included age, sex, MS type, disease duration, treatment, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and vitamin D3 serum concentrations. Results: AID was identified in 16.9% of PwMSs (n = 98). Compared with PwMSs without AIDs, PwMSs with AIDs exhibited significantly higher mean age (44.61 ± 11.40 vs. 42.24 ± 12.27 years; <i>p</i> = 0.0151), longer disease duration (10.77 ± 6.72 vs. 9.56 ± 7.19 years; <i>p</i> = 0.0102), and higher EDSS scores (2.97 ± 1.43 vs. 2.89 ± 1.84; <i>p</i> = 0.0261). Among PwMSs, the prevalence of AIDs was significantly higher in females (20.24%) compared to males (8.13%; <i>p</i> = 0.0022), and strongly associated with the relapsing-remitting MS subtype (<i>p</i> = 0.0352). Autoimmune thyroid diseases were markedly the most prevalent in PwMSs (hypothyroidism 7.24%). Conclusions: PwMSs with AIDs exhibit distinct characteristics, including older age, increased disease duration, and greater disability. Thyroid disorders are notably the most prevalent AIDs among PwMSs. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between AIDs and MS and highlight the necessity for further research into their long-term impact. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e25f42caaf3c444db818e099a1fd6aa4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e25f42caaf3c444db818e099a1fd6aa42025-08-20T03:27:28ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-05-0115658810.3390/brainsci15060588The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic ApproachesMagdalena Iwan0Weronika Wójtowicz1Jakub Milczarek2Natalia Wyroba3Zuzanna Wydrych4Olga Falger5Michalina Rzepka6Tomasz Chmiela7Mateusz Toś8Joanna Siuda9Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandStudents’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 14 Street, 40-752 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 14 Street, 40-752 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 14 Street, 40-752 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medykow 14 Street, 40-752 Katowice, PolandBackground: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share immunological underpinnings, leading to frequent co-occurrence. This study investigated the prevalence of AIDs among Polish patients with MS (PwMSs) and its potential effects on disease characteristics. The aims were to compare clinical and demographic characteristics between PwMSs with and without coexisting AIDs. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 580 PwMSs who were treated at the Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center in Katowice, Poland, between February 2018 and August 2023. Variables analyzed included age, sex, MS type, disease duration, treatment, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and vitamin D3 serum concentrations. Results: AID was identified in 16.9% of PwMSs (n = 98). Compared with PwMSs without AIDs, PwMSs with AIDs exhibited significantly higher mean age (44.61 ± 11.40 vs. 42.24 ± 12.27 years; <i>p</i> = 0.0151), longer disease duration (10.77 ± 6.72 vs. 9.56 ± 7.19 years; <i>p</i> = 0.0102), and higher EDSS scores (2.97 ± 1.43 vs. 2.89 ± 1.84; <i>p</i> = 0.0261). Among PwMSs, the prevalence of AIDs was significantly higher in females (20.24%) compared to males (8.13%; <i>p</i> = 0.0022), and strongly associated with the relapsing-remitting MS subtype (<i>p</i> = 0.0352). Autoimmune thyroid diseases were markedly the most prevalent in PwMSs (hypothyroidism 7.24%). Conclusions: PwMSs with AIDs exhibit distinct characteristics, including older age, increased disease duration, and greater disability. Thyroid disorders are notably the most prevalent AIDs among PwMSs. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between AIDs and MS and highlight the necessity for further research into their long-term impact.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/588multiple sclerosisautoimmune diseasesthyroid disease |
| spellingShingle | Magdalena Iwan Weronika Wójtowicz Jakub Milczarek Natalia Wyroba Zuzanna Wydrych Olga Falger Michalina Rzepka Tomasz Chmiela Mateusz Toś Joanna Siuda The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches Brain Sciences multiple sclerosis autoimmune diseases thyroid disease |
| title | The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches |
| title_full | The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches |
| title_fullStr | The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches |
| title_short | The Relationship Between Autoimmune Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Approaches |
| title_sort | relationship between autoimmune disorders and multiple sclerosis clinical insights and therapeutic approaches |
| topic | multiple sclerosis autoimmune diseases thyroid disease |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/588 |
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