Organic Solvents Contribute to Risk for Developing Multiple Sclerosis

Previous studies have suggested a possible link between organic solvent exposure and development of autoimmune disease. Investigators conducted a population-based, case-control study using the Swedish multiple sclerosis (MS) registry to assess the roles of organic solvents, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and cigarette smoking in determining risk for MS. Participants included 2325 patients with recently diagnosed MS who completed a standardized questionnaire on environmental exposures and lifestyle factors and who were matched with 4948 controls from the national population register.

Organic solvent exposure was reported by 465 participants, and risk for MS increased with this exposure (odds ratio, 1.5); in addition, dose effects were…