Health Problems and Smoking Can Delay MS Diagnosis

Scientists found that people with preexisting medical conditions, such as obesity, and vascular problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, may experience a delay in being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). They may also experience an increase in severity of the disease at diagnosis.

Investigators examined the records of 8,983 people who had been diagnosed with MS. Of those, 2,375 were further classified as having mild, moderate, or severe disability within two years of diagnosis. This well-characterized group was asked about preexisting health conditions, their smoking status, and weight history.

The study found that it took one to 10 years longer for people who were obese, smoked, or had physical or mental health conditions to be diagnosed with MS compared to people without such conditions. The study also found that the more medical problems a person with MS had, the more severe the disease had become by the time they were diagnosed.

"Our study suggests that doctors who treat people with chronic diseases should not attribute new neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling to existing conditions without careful consideration,” said study author Ruth Ann Marrie, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Manitoba in (Winnipeg, Canada) and member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Marrie noted that that preexisting conditions are common in the United States and can mask symptoms of a new disease or affect access to patient care. "People with multiple medical problems on top of MS may need more healthcare resources or might respond differently to medication,” she said. "This needs more study.”

The study was published in the October 29, 2008, online issue of the journal Neurology.

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