Patients report worse MS symptoms after menopause: findings from an online cohort

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Riley BovePhilip L De Jager

Abstract

Many women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are postmenopausal, yet the impact of menopause on MS symptoms is unknown. To investigate patient-reported impact of menopause in a large online research platform, PatientsLikeMe (PLM). A detailed reproductive history survey was deployed to PLM members, and responses were linked to PLM׳s prospectively collected patient-reported severity score (MS Rating Scale, MSRS). The MSRS has previously shown good correlation with physician-derived EDSS scores. Of the 513 respondents, 55% were postmenopausal; 54% of these reported induced menopause. Median age at natural menopause was 51. Surgical menopause occurred at an earlier age (p<0.001) and was associated with more hormone replacement therapy use (p=0.02) than natural menopause. Postmenopausal status, surgical menopause, and earlier age at menopause were all associated with worse MSRS scores (p≤0.01) in regressions adjusting for age, disease type and duration. Postmenopausal patients in this study reported worse MS disease severity. Further, this study highlights a utility for online research platforms, which allow for rapid generation of hypotheses that then require validation in clinical settings.

References

Sep 1, 1987·Acta Neurologica Scandinavica·W H LinssenR Rolland
Nov 19, 2005·Maturitas·Per HolmqvistJan Brynhildsen
Aug 15, 2008·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·E CoccoUNKNOWN FEMIMS Group
Nov 19, 2008·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Olympia HadjimichaelUNKNOWN North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis
Jun 23, 2009·Journal of the Neurological Sciences·Stefan M Gold, Rhonda R Voskuhl
Nov 2, 2011·American Journal of Health Promotion : AJHP·Merly MathewTyson M Bain
Jan 3, 2012·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Rory D Spence, Rhonda R Voskuhl
Feb 22, 2012·Fertility and Sterility·Siobán D HarlowUNKNOWN STRAW + 10 Collaborative Group
Feb 22, 2012·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Siobán D HarlowUNKNOWN STRAW + 10 Collaborative Group
Mar 14, 2012·Journal of Neuroscience Research·Allan J MacKenzie-GrahamRhonda R Voskuhl
Jul 5, 2012·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·S AlwanA D Sadovnick
Oct 27, 2012·Neurology·Huibo ShaoUNKNOWN Cache County Investigators
Mar 26, 2013·Clinical Immunology : the Official Journal of the Clinical Immunology Society·Riley Bove
Oct 9, 2013·Journal of Neurology·Riley BoveMaria Houtchens

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 7, 2016·Respiratory Research·Blanca E Himes, Elissa R Weitzman
Sep 21, 2016·Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders·R BoveP L De Jager
Oct 9, 2015·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Riley BoveTanuja Chitnis
Sep 18, 2018·Immunology·María C Ysrraelit, Jorge Correale
Jun 14, 2019·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·Damiano BaronciniMauro Zaffaroni
Jun 13, 2018·Journal of Medical Economics·Anne M SkalickyDavid W Dunn
Aug 29, 2020·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Luciana MidagliaMar Tintoré
May 28, 2020·Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports·Burcu Zeydan, Orhun H Kantarci
May 24, 2018·Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports·Kelsey Rankin, Riley Bove
Jul 29, 2020·Frontiers in Neurology·Francesca GilliAndrew R Pachner
May 22, 2019·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Maunil K Desai, Roberta Diaz Brinton
Jun 10, 2018·JMIR Cancer·Rachel Rj KalfUNKNOWN IMI-GetReal Workpackage 1
Jul 14, 2020·Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders·Kristen M KryskoKerstin Hellwig
Jan 14, 2021·Biology of Sex Differences·Maria Luisa DupuisElena Ortona
Jan 8, 2021·Brain Communications·Burcu ZeydanOrhun H Kantarci
Feb 21, 2021·European Journal of Neurology : the Official Journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies·Susana Otero-RomeroMar Tintoré
Apr 6, 2021·Frontiers in Neurology·Riley BoveEva Kubala Havrdová

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.