Allergies in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study (P1.380)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate allergies as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pediatric population cohort. BACKGROUND: MS and allergies are considered to be related to an imbalanced Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Previous studies evaluating the association between MS and allergies provide conflicting results, and the Th1/Th2 related comorbidities have not been studied in the pediatric MS population. DESIGN/METHODS: In this case-control study, 689 records from the Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers Environment and Genes (E+G) R01 study were included (271 cases, 418 controls). Demographic characteristics of subjects including gender, race, and ethnicity were collected. Allergies to food, environmental factors, and antibiotics within the first five years of life were included. Subjects also reported allergic reactions including skin reactions, anaphylactic shock, rhinorrhea, and gastrointestinal reactions. A chi-squared test was used to compare demographics and responses between cases and controls. RESULTS: Patients with pediatric MS reported fewer environmental allergies (12.8[percnt] vs. 20.4[percnt], p=0.013) and food allergies (5.2[percnt] vs. 9.4[percnt], p=0.05) compared to pediatric control subjects. No statistically significant difference in allergies to antibiotics (5.9[percnt] vs. 3.3[percnt], p=0.161) or in incidence of allergic reactions (27.7[percnt] vs. 29.7[percnt], p=0.591) was observed. CONCLUSION: Pediatric MS patients may have a decreased risk of environmental and food allergies compared to other children. Our results support an inverse relationship between Th1 and Th2 mediated disorders. Study supported by: R01NS071463 (PI Waubant), and NMSS HC 0165 (PI Casper) Disclosure: Dr. Neiderer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Waltz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Casper has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kavak has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aaen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Belman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Candee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chitnis has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis and Biogen. Dr. Chitnis has received research support from Merck-Serono and Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Graves has nothing to disclose. Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation for activities with EMD Serono, Novartis, Amarantus, and MSAA for honoria and consulting. Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for JAMA Neurology. Dr. Greenberg has rece Dr. Gorman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Harris has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hart has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kahn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Krupp has received licensing and/or royalty fees from Johnson and Johnson, AbbVie, and Grifols. Dr. Lotze has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ness has nothing to disclose. Dr. Olsen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Roalstad has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rodriguez has received research support from Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Rose has received research support from Biogen Idec, AbbieVie Biotherapeutics, Teva, Cumming Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, VA and NIH. Dr. Rubin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schreiner has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec and MSAA as a consultant. Dr. Simmons has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tillema has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vanderver has received research support from Shire Pharmaceuticals Group and Illumina. Dr. Waldman has received royalty payments from UpToDate. Dr. Waubant has received personal compensation for activities with Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Genzyme Corporation, and Novartis. Dr. Waubant has received research support from Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Biogen Idec, and Novartis. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Teva Neurosciences, EMD Serono, Pfizer, Novartis, Genzyme & Sanofi, Mylan, and Acorda.