Childhood pet ownership and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Edwards, Laura; Tench, Christopher

Abstract

Background

Many studies have been conducted investigating a range of environmental factors which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We collated available data about exposure to domestic animals before symptom onset in MS to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Medline, Embase and Cinahl were searched for relevant articles, based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and reference lists were hand-searched. Data were extracted and critical analysis was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa criteria. Meta-analysis used random effects.

Results

Study heterogeneity was high and study quality was variable. Random effects meta-analysis showed no associations with any pet ownership and development of MS.

Conclusion

It is not possible to draw definitive conclusions from this work. The studies included had a high level of heterogeneity. There are many variables involved in pet ownership and exposure and the nature of the way these have been studied makes the analysis challenging.

Citation

Edwards, L., & Tench, C. (2021). Childhood pet ownership and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 53, Article 103046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103046

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 17, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 25, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Deposit Date: Jun 7, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2022
• Journal: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
• Print ISSN: 2211-0348
• Electronic ISSN: 2211-0356
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 53
• Article Number: 103046
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103046
• Keywords: Neurology; Clinical Neurology; General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5633758
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034821003138
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Childhood pet ownership and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis; Journal Title: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2021.103046; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.