Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels

Aslıhan Baran; Bülent Müngen

doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1898830

Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels

Abstract

Objective: The relationship between trauma and multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear, partly due to differences in how trauma is defined and studied. This study examined the association between physical trauma and MS, with a focus on trauma severity. Method: Sixty-five patients with MS and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Trauma exposure was assessed during the one-month period preceding each relapse in the MS group and during the one-month period before each clinical evaluation in controls. Group differences were initially analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were additionally used to account for repeated observations within participants. Results: A total of 226 relapse episodes and 110 control evaluation periods were analyzed. Trauma exposure was observed in 4.4% of pre-relapse periods and 19.1% of control periods. After accounting for repeated observations within participants using generalized estimating equations, trauma exposure was lower during relapse periods (OR = 0.103, 95% CI: 0.048–0.219; p < 0.001). Minor trauma was less frequent during the pre-relapse period (3.1% vs 14.5%; p < 0.001). Surgical procedures were less frequent during the pre-relapse period (0.9% vs 4.5%; p = 0.040). Conclusion: Trauma exposure was not associated with an increased risk of MS relapse in the acute-subacute period. Stratifying trauma by severity may provide a more meaningful understanding of the trauma–MS relationship.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was used by authors during this study.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Fırat University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (Decision No: 243, Date: 16.12.2002). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Aslıhan Baran ^*
0000-0002-9656-186X
Türkiye

Bülent Müngen
0000-0002-7118-2820
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 23, 2026

Submission Date

February 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 12, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 58

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1898830

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA35PW87NX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Baran, A., & Müngen, B. (2026). Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal, 17(58), 152-157. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1898830

AMA

1.Baran A, Müngen B. Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels. Interdiscip Med J. 2026;17(58):152-157. doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1898830

Chicago

Baran, Aslıhan, and Bülent Müngen. 2026. “Evaluation of the Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Trauma According to Graded Trauma Levels”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17 (58): 152-57. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1898830.

EndNote

Baran A, Müngen B (August 1, 2026) Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17 58 152–157.

IEEE

[1]A. Baran and B. Müngen, “Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels”, Interdiscip Med J, vol. 17, no. 58, pp. 152–157, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.17944/interdiscip.1898830.

ISNAD

Baran, Aslıhan - Müngen, Bülent. “Evaluation of the Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Trauma According to Graded Trauma Levels”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal 17/58 (August 1, 2026): 152-157. https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1898830.

JAMA

1.Baran A, Müngen B. Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels. Interdiscip Med J. 2026;17:152–157.

MLA

Baran, Aslıhan, and Bülent Müngen. “Evaluation of the Association Between Multiple Sclerosis and Trauma According to Graded Trauma Levels”. Interdisciplinary Medical Journal, vol. 17, no. 58, Aug. 2026, pp. 152-7, doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1898830.

Vancouver

1.Aslıhan Baran, Bülent Müngen. Evaluation of the association between multiple sclerosis and trauma according to graded trauma levels. Interdiscip Med J. 2026 Aug. 1;17(58):152-7. doi:10.17944/interdiscip.1898830