Higher vitamin D levels associated with lower relapse risk in MS
Higher vitamin D levels associated with lower relapse risk in MS
A Menzies' study published in the international renowned journal Annals of Neurology hasshown for the first time that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower relapse risk in multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers.
A Menzies' study published in the international renowned journal Annals of Neurology hasshown for the first time that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower relapse risk in multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers.
More people are suffering with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) per capita in Tasmania than in any other state in Australia.
In fact, between 1951 and 2009 the incidence of MS in Tasmania nearly doubled.
MS is a chronic degenerative and unpredictable condition that randomly attacks the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person. This is what makes it such a devastating disease.
There is currently no cure, but treatments are available to modify the course of the disease and ease some of the symptoms.
The Southern Tasmanian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study was a population-based cohort study involving 145 participants with relapsing-remitting MS from 2002 to 2005.
PhD student Steve Simpson Jr was first author of the publication.
Senior author Dr Ingrid van de Mei says that by observing people with MS over a two and a half year period, they found that people had a lower likelihood of a relapse if they had higher levels of vitamin D.
The study demonstrates that for each 10nmol/l increase in vitamin D there was up to a 12 per cent reduction in the likelihood of a relapse.
"Based on what was found, it is possible that people with MS would roughly half their risk of relapses if they increased their vitamin D level by 50 nmol/l."
"This effect is on a par with the current immunotherapy treatments available. Vitamin D supplementation is, however, much cheaper and has less potential side effects," she said.
"It is now critical to test in a randomised controlled trial whether vitamin D treatment indeed reduces relapses and how much vitamin D provides the optimal effect," Dr van de Mei said.
Sean O'Moore has been living with MS for six years. He lives in Hobart with his wife Jill and their three young boys, Darragh, Rory and Lorcan.
Three of Sean's sisters also have MS, and his mother was diagnosed with MS when he was just six years old.
"This is very encouraging news. No one wants to suffer a relapse. You never get back to where you were before a relapse," Sean said.
Menzies' Associate Professor, Bruce Taylor, says the research has worldwide implications.
"Currently our treatments for MS which are effective are hugely expensive," Associate Professor Taylor said.
"They are drugs that cost the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme $25,000 a year, vitamin D is about $300 per year."
Funding bodies that supported this research include the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and the Trish Foundation.
*Nmol/l = Nanamoles (nmol) per litre
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