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I think that severe stress can be considered as a most important factor to developthe disease
Several studies have shown that stressful life events are associated with a subsequent significant increase in risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations.A number of mechanisms have been proposed, including mediation between stressful events and the immune system via the glucocorticoid and the β-adrenergic pathways.5,6 But it is not known whether stressful life events could increase the risk of developing the disease itself. A total of 93,110 of the 94,185 (99%) nurses who responded to the 1982 questionnaire in the NHS had answered the questions on stress at home, while a lower percentage, 79% (74,297 out of 94,185), responded to the question on stress at work. A total of 87% (n = 17,399) of the women who did not answer the question on stress at work remakers” at the time of study. The results of this study do not support a major role of stress in the development of the disease. However, future studies with more focused and frequently measured stress assessments are needed to preclude a firm exclusion of stress as a potential risk factor for MS.Neurology® 2011;76:1866–1871
No one is exactly a fan of stress. Those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have always been led to believe stress in general would make flare ups worse and increased, as MS severely affects the brain and spinal cord by slowing down communications. However a new study shows no real evidence of a link between stress and the contraction or prevalence of the disease's symptoms particularly in women. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that about400,000 people in the U.S. have MS. The study included a first group of about93,000 nurses who were also given a questionnaire about their levels of stress at home and at work. The second group of about68,500 nurses filled out questionnaires about physical and sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence, another huge cause of stress obviously both physical and mental. As of2004 to2005,77 women in the first group and292 in the second had been diagnosed with MS and responded to questionnaires about stress. Keep in mind that MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of20 and40. Forty four percent of all women said in their questionnaire that they experienced moderate stress at work, compared to39% of women with MS. Severe stress at work was reported by11% of all women and5% of the MS group in particular. A history of extensive physical abuse did not appear to make women any more likely to get MS.
