Abstract Details

Title Sexual Behavior and Multiple Sclerosis

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P13 - Poster Session 13 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 3-018

Objective We sought to determine if engaging in same-sex high risk sexual behavior correlates with higher likelihood of diagnosis of MS.

Background Adolescence is a pivotal time window during which lifestyle and environmental factors impact the lifetime risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Sexual behavior is one personal factor that is relevant in adolescence and young-adulthood; however, it is unclear the relationship that sexual behavior has to lifetime risk of MS. Early identification and treatment of MS is a crucial factor in predicting health outcomes of patients with MS.

Design/Methods This study is a retrospective secondary analysis of cross-sectional data in the TriNetX health database. High risk sexual behavior (HRSB) includes: unprotected intercourse, intercourse under influence of substances, intercourse with persons with intravenous drug use, multiple sexual partners, early age of sexual intercourse, and intercourse with sex workers. ICD-10 separates HRSB into same-sex (Z72.52-53) and opposite-sex (Z72.51) behavior.

Results We identified 13,595 males and 9,589 females with same-sex HRSB, and 64,409 males and 137,450 females with opposite-sex HRSB. Cohorts were balanced on age, race, and ethnicity. Males engaging in same-sex behavior had a 2.80-fold higher risk of MS diagnosis (95% CI: 1.66-4.73). Females engaging in same-sex behavior had a 2.30-fold higher risk (95% CI: 1.65-3.20). There was no significant risk difference between adults engaging in any form of high-risk sexual behavior compared to adults not engaging in high-risk sexual behavior (p = 0.41).

Conclusions

Our findings advance the understanding of MS prevalence in a unique patient population that may be at an increased baseline risk for more negative health outcomes.

Authors/Disclosures
Matthew R. Kennis (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) PRESENTER	Mr. Kennis has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Neurocrine Biosciences. Mr. Kennis has stock in Neurocrine Biosciences.
Elijah W. Hale	Mr. Hale has nothing to disclose.

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