A large nationwide study from South Korea has uncovered a significantly higher risk of developing Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ARDs) in people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD).
Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS), which covers around 97% of South Korea’s population, researchers tracked patients with MS and NMOSD over time to see how often they developed additional autoimmune diseases.
The study included 1,987 people with MS and 2,071 with NMOSD, each matched with ten individuals without these conditions for comparison. After a one-year observation period, the findings showed that:
● People with MS were over five times more likely to develop autoimmune rheumatic diseases than those without MS.
● People with NMOSD were more than nine times more likely to develop these diseases than those without NMOSD.
The study also found that different autoimmune diseases were more common in each group:
● In MS patients, Behçet’s disease had the highest increased risk.
● In NMOSD patients, polymyositis was most strongly associated.
● Both groups also showed an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).
Dr. Soonwook Kwon, one of the lead researchers, emphasized the importance of these findings: “These results highlight the need for careful monitoring of autoimmune symptoms in patients with MS and NMOSD. Early diagnosis and treatment of associated autoimmune diseases can lead to better long-term outcomes.”
This is the first large-scale population-based study to investigate this link, adding important insight into how neurological autoimmune disorders may overlap with other immune system conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment or medical concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
