M Thorogood1, P C Hannaford. 1. Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of multiple sclerosis in users of combined oral contraceptives. DESIGN: Cohort study conducted between 1968 and 1996 using diagnostic data supplied by general practitioners SETTING: General practices throughout the United Kingdom. POPULATION: Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study cohort of initially 46,000 women recruited during the late 1960s. METHODS: Directly standardised incidence rates of multiple sclerosis were calculated for current, former and never-users of oral contraceptives using first ever cases of multiple sclerosis reported by the general practitioners. The standardisation variables were age, parity, social class and smoking history. Five-year survival rates in the different contraceptive groups were calculated using standard life table techniques. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen first ever cases of multiple sclerosis had been reported by November 1996 during 564,000 woman-years of observation. The incidence rate in both current and former users was not materially different to that in never-users. Although based on limited evidence there was no suggestion that the five-year survival was affected by a woman's use of combined oral contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not suggest a greatly elevated risk of multiple sclerosis during, or after, use of combined oral contraceptives.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of multiple sclerosis in users of combined oral contraceptives. DESIGN: Cohort study conducted between 1968 and 1996 using diagnostic data supplied by general practitioners SETTING: General practices throughout the United Kingdom. POPULATION: Royal College of General Practitioners' Oral Contraception Study cohort of initially 46,000 women recruited during the late 1960s. METHODS: Directly standardised incidence rates of multiple sclerosis were calculated for current, former and never-users of oral contraceptives using first ever cases of multiple sclerosis reported by the general practitioners. The standardisation variables were age, parity, social class and smoking history. Five-year survival rates in the different contraceptive groups were calculated using standard life table techniques. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen first ever cases of multiple sclerosis had been reported by November 1996 during 564,000 woman-years of observation. The incidence rate in both current and former users was not materially different to that in never-users. Although based on limited evidence there was no suggestion that the five-year survival was affected by a woman's use of combined oral contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not suggest a greatly elevated risk of multiple sclerosis during, or after, use of combined oral contraceptives.
Entities:
Keywords:
Biology; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods--side effects; Correlation Studies; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Europe; Family Planning; Longterm Effects; Muscular Effects; Northern Europe; Oral Contraceptives, Combined--side effects; Oral Contraceptives--side effects; Physiology; Population; Population Dynamics; Research Methodology; Research Report; Risk Factors; Statistical Studies; Studies; Time Factors; United Kingdom
Authors: C Alviggi; P B Carrieri; R Pivonello; V Scarano; M Pezzella; G De Placido; A Colao; G Matarese Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 4.256