Acta Neurol Scand. 2003 Nov;108(5):327-31
Annunziata P, Morana P, Giorgio A, Galeazzi M, Campanella V, Lore'
F, Guarino E.
Department of Neurological Sciences and Behaviour, University of Siena,
Siena, Italy.
OBJECTIVES:
An exploratory study has been carried out to assess the association of autoimmune diseases in multiple sclerosis (MS) families with clinical features and disability of MS patients.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Age at onset, symptoms and signs at onset, and disability were assessed in 177 patients with definite MS and 178 age- and sex-matched control patients with autoimmune diseases (78 with endocrine and 100 with rheumatological diseases) and correlated with the most frequent autoimmune diseases recorded in the families.
RESULTS:
Psoriasis was found in 30 relatives of 177 (16.9%) MS patients, thyroid disorders in 17 (9.6%) and allergies in 17 (9.6%).
In the control group, psoriasis was found in 22 relatives of 178 (12%) patients, thyroid diseases in 19 (10.7%) and allergies in seven (3.9%).
Of the 30 relatives with psoriasis in the MS group, 16 (53.3%) were fathers (P < 0.0001).
There was a significant association of high frequency of family psoriasis with early age of MS onset (P = 0.025) but not with onset of symptoms or severe disability.
CONCLUSION:
In this Italian MS cohort, a subgroup of patients with a first- or second-degree relative with psoriasis had early onset of MS.