Contributions
Abstract: P306
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unknown but epidemiological studies suggest a complex interplay between genetic and environmental triggering factors. A low 30% concordance rate among monozygotic twins strongly suggests a dominant contribution of environmental factors such as geographical location, smoking, diet, low sunlight exposure, vitamin D deficiency, infectious agents and toxins. Recently, one study found that shift work at young age is associated with an increased risk of developing MS.
Goal: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between shift work at young age and the risk of developing MS in a Danish cohort.
Methods: We performed a large case-control study including 1785 patients diagnosed with MS and 4194 controls. MS patients were recruited from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Biobank and controls from The Danish Blood Donor Study. Information on working patterns and lifestyle factors was obtained using a comprehensive lifestyle-environmental factor questionnaire. Participants were enrolled between 2009 and 2014. Logistic regression models investigated the association between shift work at age 15-19 years and the subsequent risk of MS and were controlled for effects due to established MS risk factors.
Results: A statistically significant association with MS was observed when total numbers of night shifts were compared with non-shift workers. For every additional 100 night shifts the odds ratio (OR) for MS was 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.33, p = 0.001). Increasing intensity of shift work also increased MS risk. For every additional night per month the OR was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.06,
p = 0.003). Duration of shift work in years was not associated with risk of MS.
Conclusion: We found that an increase in the total number of night shifts and the intensity of shift work at age 15-19 years were associated with increased risk of MS, whereas no association was found between the duration of shift work and risk of MS. Thus, this study supports the presence of a significant association between shift work at young age and MS risk.
Disclosure:
Annette Bang Oturai has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec; has received research support from Novartis and Biogen Idec; has received speaker honoraria from Biogen Idec, Novartis and TEVA; and has received support for congress participation from, Merck Serono, TEVA, Biogen, Novartis and Genzyme.
Finn Sellebjerg has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva, has been on the steering committee of a clinical trial sponsored by Merck Serono, and served as consultant for Biogen Idec and Novo Nordisk; has received support for congress participation from Biogen Idec, Novartis, Genzyme (Sanofi-aventis) and Teva; has received speaker honoraria from Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough. His laboratory has received research support from Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering, Merck Serono, Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis.
Helle Bach Søndergaard has received support for congress participation from TEVA and Genzyme.
Julie Hejgaard Laursen has received honoraria for lecturing from Merck Serono and has had travel expenses reimbursed by Teva, Almirall and Merck Serono.
Melinda Magyari has served on scientific advisory board for BiogenIdec and TEVA and has received honoraria for lecturing from BiogenIdec, MerckSerono, Sanofi-Aventis, and Teva. She has received support for congress participation from BiogenIdec, MerckSerono, Novartis, and Genzyme.
Bjarne Laursen, Henrik Ullum, Margit Anita Hørup Larsen, Ditte Oturai and Stefan Gustasven have nothing to disclose.
Abstract: P306
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Background: The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unknown but epidemiological studies suggest a complex interplay between genetic and environmental triggering factors. A low 30% concordance rate among monozygotic twins strongly suggests a dominant contribution of environmental factors such as geographical location, smoking, diet, low sunlight exposure, vitamin D deficiency, infectious agents and toxins. Recently, one study found that shift work at young age is associated with an increased risk of developing MS.
Goal: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between shift work at young age and the risk of developing MS in a Danish cohort.
Methods: We performed a large case-control study including 1785 patients diagnosed with MS and 4194 controls. MS patients were recruited from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Biobank and controls from The Danish Blood Donor Study. Information on working patterns and lifestyle factors was obtained using a comprehensive lifestyle-environmental factor questionnaire. Participants were enrolled between 2009 and 2014. Logistic regression models investigated the association between shift work at age 15-19 years and the subsequent risk of MS and were controlled for effects due to established MS risk factors.
Results: A statistically significant association with MS was observed when total numbers of night shifts were compared with non-shift workers. For every additional 100 night shifts the odds ratio (OR) for MS was 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.33, p = 0.001). Increasing intensity of shift work also increased MS risk. For every additional night per month the OR was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01-1.06,
p = 0.003). Duration of shift work in years was not associated with risk of MS.
Conclusion: We found that an increase in the total number of night shifts and the intensity of shift work at age 15-19 years were associated with increased risk of MS, whereas no association was found between the duration of shift work and risk of MS. Thus, this study supports the presence of a significant association between shift work at young age and MS risk.
Disclosure:
Annette Bang Oturai has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec; has received research support from Novartis and Biogen Idec; has received speaker honoraria from Biogen Idec, Novartis and TEVA; and has received support for congress participation from, Merck Serono, TEVA, Biogen, Novartis and Genzyme.
Finn Sellebjerg has served on scientific advisory boards for Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Teva, has been on the steering committee of a clinical trial sponsored by Merck Serono, and served as consultant for Biogen Idec and Novo Nordisk; has received support for congress participation from Biogen Idec, Novartis, Genzyme (Sanofi-aventis) and Teva; has received speaker honoraria from Bayer Schering, Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough. His laboratory has received research support from Biogen Idec, Bayer Schering, Merck Serono, Sanofi-Aventis and Novartis.
Helle Bach Søndergaard has received support for congress participation from TEVA and Genzyme.
Julie Hejgaard Laursen has received honoraria for lecturing from Merck Serono and has had travel expenses reimbursed by Teva, Almirall and Merck Serono.
Melinda Magyari has served on scientific advisory board for BiogenIdec and TEVA and has received honoraria for lecturing from BiogenIdec, MerckSerono, Sanofi-Aventis, and Teva. She has received support for congress participation from BiogenIdec, MerckSerono, Novartis, and Genzyme.
Bjarne Laursen, Henrik Ullum, Margit Anita Hørup Larsen, Ditte Oturai and Stefan Gustasven have nothing to disclose.