Multiple sclerosis and poliomyelitis - A Danish historical cohort study

Objective - To evaluate whether persons with a history of poliomyelitis are at an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Material and m ethods - All patients diagnosed with acute poliomyelitis in the greater cap ital area of Copenhagen, Denmark, between 1919 and 1954 were identified and followed with respect to MS. Information on vital status and diagnosis of sclerosis was obtained through linkage with the Danish Civil Registration S ystem and The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, respectively. Follow-up s tarted on the date of the establishment of the Danish Civil Registration Sy stem (April 1, 1968) until death, emigration or December 31, 1996, whicheve r came first. The observed incidence of MS among polio patients was compare d with the expected incidence calculated according to national gender, age and period specific rates of MS. Results - During 149,364 years of follow-u p, 19 cases of multiple sclerosis were observed among 5652 polio patients c ompared with 11.0 expected (SIR = 1.73 (1.04-2.74)). The increased risk of MS was most pronounced in polio patients hospitalized during adolescence. N either gender nor the acute severity of poliomyelitis modified the risk of MS. Conclusion - Our results are based on small numbers of events, however the findings suggest that the polio patients might be at an increased risk of MS.