Ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis possible link
Ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis (MS) may have common causes, according to a study by Dr Christopher Pokorny and colleagues from the University of Westminster London, Liverpool Hospital, the University of NSW and Griffith University, published in the official journal of the Adult Medicine Division of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).
Four patients were identified with both ulcerative colitis and MS, but there were no patients identified with Crohn’s Disease and MS.
Two of these patients developed ulcerative colitis after they were diagnosed with MS.
“Although it is possible that these conditions may have occurred by chance, common causes of these conditions need to be considered and further investigated,” Dr Pokomy said.
“The recognition of an association between ulcerative colitis and MS is important, given the increasing use of biologic agents such as infliximab in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
“These agents are also being increasingly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and reports that their use can be complicated by demyelination have appeared.”
Demyelination is the major underlying factor responsible for the symptoms of MS and involves the destructive removal of myelin, an insulating and protective fatty protein which sheaths nerve cells (neurons).
“However, if these two conditions are really related, it may be that demyelination in such patients is a consequence of the disease rather than the treatment,” he said.
“Therefore, the development of neurological symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis should be investigated.”
