I've long ago concluded that the most important conclusion that every researcher learns to include in every report is that "more research is needed." It's a kind of chicken-or-egg thing, I think.
I read this article but didn't come away with anything that made me fell this was anything but a slight association at the most. I haven't consumed alcohol since my early 20's when I didn't understand the meaning of moderation lol.
I will try a glass of something next time the hug comes. Great idea!
I don't get overly excited about any studies that talk about merely an association. Thought it was interesting that this was even being looked at.
Patients on Rebif, Avonex, etc need to be a bit careful due to the risk of elevating liver enzymes. Not a concern with Copaxone. Not sure about any of the other, newer DMDs.
I never thought of having a relaxing glass of Shiraz for the MS hug.....might just have to try that next time ;)
well, I still have the odd glass of wine, and my neuro's and such say if that is all I do, it is fine, it may help calm you down in a bad situation, and help you to relax. I know during an MShug attack, it does seem to help with the relaxing....
Just my take on things.....
Well, I know in reading the literature on some of the medications I take, they say do not mix with alcohol………
but then I don't care much for surveys anyway!
I read this and I just couldn't figure out what "dose-dependent inverse association with MS" meant? Drink more suffer less?
I agree that even the researchers seemed to be soft peddling the results. It doesn't really matter for me. I gave up the grape 26 years ago. It seemed the more I drank the more people around me suffered :-)
Kyle
I have not had a drink since I was 18.
Alex
The original paper (for those who might want to dive in) is found here: http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1812407&resultClick=24
This link may be time-sensitive. I'm not sure these articles stay paywall-free forever. But for now, everyone can see it. Alternatively, the pdf is here http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/data/Journals/NEUR/0/noi130093.pdf
I'm not sure how earth shattering it is, however. Outside of the press-release version, the "Conclusions and Relevance" section of the actual paper has the much more modest conclusion (quoted here under Fair Use):
"Alcohol consumption exhibits a dose-dependent inverse association with MS. Furthermore, alcohol consumption is associated with attenuation of the effect of smoking. Our findings may have relevance for clinical practice because they give no support for advising patients with MS to completely refrain from alcohol."
I've actually never heard of a neurologist suggesting zero alcohol consumption, so this really isn't a game-changer for most of us on a clinical level. And any correlation of alcohol consumption with lower risk of developing MS is a loooooong way from being borne out on a causal level.
"The impact of alcohol, which may directly suppress various immune responses, on the risk of developing MS has been investigated in 2 case-control studies and 1 prospective study.The results were inconsistent. However, case numbers have been small and some of the studies were subject to methodological limitations"
Alcohol's immunomodulatory properties are interesting and absolutely worthy of close research. Putting this on the 'one to watch' pile.
Thanks for alerting us to this DV!
(Attribution for both quotes: Hedström A, Hillert J, Olsson T, Alfredsson L. Alcohol as a Modifiable Lifestyle Factor Affecting Multiple Sclerosis Risk. JAMA Neurol. 2014;():. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.5858.)