A fascinating study reported in today's Independent, a left of centre UK national newspaper.
"A study published today by the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. The research was prompted by the discovery of a patient who had HIV and MS and who stayed free of any MS symptoms for more than twelve years. British and Australian researchers from Oxford University, Queen Mary University of London and the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney discovered that HIV patients were significantly less likely to get MS than the general public.
An analysis of English Hospital Episode Statistics of HIV sufferers between 1999 and 2011 found a 'negative association between HIV and MS' which was statistically significant.' Data for more than 21,000 people infected with HIV was analysed and compared against a wider group of more than 5 million non HIV patients. Those with HIV were 62 per cent less likely to develop MS than those who did not have the virus.
The researchers reported :'If subsequent studies demonstrate there is a causal protective effect of HIV and or its treatment, and if the magnitude of it proves to be similar to our rate ratio of 0.38 this would be the largest protective factor yet observed in relation to MS.'
They suggested that the weakening of the immune system in those with HIV 'may prevent development of MS' and that 'antiretroviral medication' could 'suppress other viral pathogens implicated in MS.'
"A study published today by the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. The research was prompted by the discovery of a patient who had HIV and MS and who stayed free of any MS symptoms for more than twelve years. British and Australian researchers from Oxford University, Queen Mary University of London and the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney discovered that HIV patients were significantly less likely to get MS than the general public.
An analysis of English Hospital Episode Statistics of HIV sufferers between 1999 and 2011 found a 'negative association between HIV and MS' which was statistically significant.' Data for more than 21,000 people infected with HIV was analysed and compared against a wider group of more than 5 million non HIV patients. Those with HIV were 62 per cent less likely to develop MS than those who did not have the virus.
The researchers reported :'If subsequent studies demonstrate there is a causal protective effect of HIV and or its treatment, and if the magnitude of it proves to be similar to our rate ratio of 0.38 this would be the largest protective factor yet observed in relation to MS.'
They suggested that the weakening of the immune system in those with HIV 'may prevent development of MS' and that 'antiretroviral medication' could 'suppress other viral pathogens implicated in MS.'
