Multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
PubMed 37483528 · doi:10.1177/20552173231186516
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science in 2021 for studies evaluating the bidirectional association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
What was found
The risk of developing UC among patients with MS compared to controls was slightly elevated but not statistically significant (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.96-1.67). Conversely, patients with UC had a statistically significant elevated risk of developing MS compared to controls (RR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.40).
Why it matters
These findings suggest an asymmetric epidemiological link where preexisting ulcerative colitis increases the risk of subsequent multiple sclerosis, informing comorbidity screening and clinical surveillance.
Limits
The abstract does not report the number of included studies, total participant sample size, specific underlying study designs, or degree of between-study heterogeneity. Potential confounders, shared genetic mechanisms, and medication exposures were not described.
Cited by
- supports Inflammatory bowel disease is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.