No association between socioeconomic status and risk of multiple sclerosis: A population-based incident case-control study in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and multiple sclerosis (MS) is inconsistent. We examined the association of several indicators of SES with MS in an Iranian population.

METHODS: We conducted a population-based incident case-control study with 547 incident cases and 1057 general population controls in Iran, 2015. Data was collected using telephone interviews and indicators of SES i.e. parental education, and household SES during adolescence using asset variables. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS: Parental education levels were not significantly associated with MS development. Household SES during adolescence was insignificantly associated with an increased risk of MS diagnosis (P = 0.575).

CONCLUSION: We did not identify an association between household SES during adolescence, parental education levels, and a subsequent risk of developing MS in an Iranian population.