Having a Younger Sibling Reduces MS Risk???

I just read a 2005 article that was interesting, but not convincing.  It suggested your MS risk decreases if you have a younger sibling born before you were 6 years of age.  I was hoping we could collect a little data of our own.  I am 9 years older than my brother . . . so my situation supports this study.  Anyone else???

Sherry  

[LATW]

I have two younger siblings. One was born before I was 6 and one shortly after.

LA

[thiagirl]

I have two half brothers one 6 years younger than me the other one eight. the one 6 years younger they me has MS for eight years now.

Cindi

[risnerrose]

It appears Cindi and I fit the study.  LA and Cindi's brother do not.

2 to 2

[Deb61]

I have a sister who is three and a half years younger than me--we both have MS.

Deb

[thiagirl]

i have MS as well as my brother I should have said that sorry but that puts me out of the study ,

cindi

[jensequitur]

My sister was born seven years after me.  I wonder if the data is anecdotal, or if it's actually statistically significant.

[thiagirl]

right? or does it put me in , i am confussed low blood sugar please forgive me

[risnerrose]

According to this study . . . if you did not have a younger sibling during your first six years of life, you were at a greater risk than someone who did.  Because I am 9 years older than my only brother, we are both at an increased risk.  For the record . . . I'm not sold on this, just wanted to do a little sampling. These studies just remind me that there is so much to learn about MS.  

[thiagirl]

ahh, you must forgive my confusion I had a low blood sugar reading, of 38, and was drinking soda and chewing an orange and reading your post, and trying to process it ,( the low blood sugar screws me up). And then I am trying to type on top of all that and my hubby is asking me if I am ready for the Avonex shot, it was a crazy moment here in my world. sorry , Yes it would appear you and I  fit the study .

yes there is a lot to learn, it seems to still be such a mystery . I read up on research about
people who have MS and their chances of getting diabetes , and  it would appear I fit right into that study as I am a diabetic and have only been a type 1 for 12 years, and in my timeline we know that I had my first MS experience 15 years ago, after reading the research I think the MS is what triggered my diabetes, funny thing is I have been dealing with the diabetes for 12 years I have been dealing with the Ms 1 year.

almost like which came first the chicken or the egg.....

Cindi

[pennst8r]

Doesn't work in my family. I have 2 sisters, both with MS. Each has a sibling within 15 months in age. There are 6 of us total, me being the youngest. One sister is the eldest and the other dead center.

Penn

[risnerrose]

What I'm finding interesting is the number on this thread that have MS and a sibling with MS.  The percentage is much greater than the stats I've read about.

[pennst8r]

It is interesting, isn't it? Many seem to believe if you have a sib, your chances are slim to none. Not so apparently

[meathead]

I HAVE A TWO SIBLINGS MY SISTER IS TWO AND A HALF YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME , MY BROTHER IS EIGHT YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME. MY SISTER HAS LUPUS ? AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT MAY BE MS WE WERE BOTH AGE 32 WHEN DIAGNOSED ME WITH MS MY SISTER WITH LUPUS. QUITE STRANGE ESPECIALY WHEN BOTH THESE CONDITIONS THEY SAY CAN SOMETIMES MIMIC EACH OTHER

[essdipity]

I do not understand this rationale at all. I could see the point-- maybe-- if "older" siblings were involved, since it seems at least possible that changes in the mother from having given birth could affect a new fetus at conception or during development.

After one is born, however, there is obviously no chance of genetic changes. Is it being suggested that the mere presence of a "younger" child (environment) during certain formative years has an affect on MS? And that that child, to have an affect, would have to be a sibling?

Sherry, could you post the source of that article?  The author will have more than an uphill battle to convince me.

Thanks,
ess

[risnerrose]

The study theorizes that younger siblings re-expose older siblings to viruses, etc. - in what is referred to as the "hygiene hypothesis".  I've read several articles and I think they all reference JAMA.  One link is  http://www.news-medical.net/?id=7506 .  I have also read a few entries that dismiss any hygiene hypothesis.  If this is all based on multiple exposure to viruses, then I would suspect children in a daycare setting would have the same -if not better- benefits.  I also am not convinced . . . just intriqued.

As far as environment vs. genetics . . .  studies that show an increased risk among siblings suggest a genetic link; however, studies that show a greater risk for people living in northern altitudes support an environmental connection.  It actually concerns me that we are dealing with a disease that still seems to be a medical mystery.

[essdipity]

Thanks, Shery. I will read up on this. I do agree with you that if this theory has any validity it should apply just to 'exposure' to younger ones, not biological relationship.

You're right---this is a msytifying disease.

ess

[Quixotic1]

Yes, the whole area calls into question the "Nature vs Nurture" issue and would have to do with the "exposure" to a younger sib and possible heavier exposures to infections, or the tendency of people with larger families to live in different areas or something.  It could not be a biological (Nature) issue.

There are factors inplicated in MS that have to do with factors of our environment in addition to what we are born with.  

I haven't done it, but someday I will get into these "causes of MS" factors.  It is very interesting.

Quix

[pennst8r]

I wonder if there've been any studies with sibs who were and were not raised in the same geographical area? The sib thing could speak to nature OR nurture. My sisters and I all were rasied in the same house. Had the family moved away at some point, would there have been an effect? Or even the whole split up (remembert he all the seperated twin studies you learned about in school?)

Does that even make sense?? Really tired. Not too sharp at the moment.

Penn

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Penn.  We already know that the highest risk is a sib that has MS.  This is talking specifically about just having a "younger" sib changing an older sib's chance of developing MS.  I'll look into the sibs raised apart because I think that has been looked at.  The twins stuff has been looked at also.

Quix

[pennst8r]

Sorry...like I said I'm 3/4 asleep and apparently did not remember the details of the topic as well as I thought I had earlier (when I was conscious)

Penn

[Quixotic1]

Hands on hips:    Snap Out of It!

We'll have a quiz on this in the morning.  No more sleeping thru class!

Quix

[pennst8r]

LOL! Just give me a pillow and wake me in time for recess:)

[thiagirl]

Don't know if this plays into any of this but I have MS and my HALF brother who is 6 years younger than me has MS. we weren't raised in the same house have different mothers, He was DX 8 years ago, I was DX this past year, but I had my first problems go back 15 years ago. Again I don't know  if this plays into any of this I just thought I would bring this to the classes attention. lol   Now I feel like the kid in school that is trying to divert the teacher from knowing that I don't really know whats going on...lol

Cindi