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Associations of PFAS and OH-PCBs with risk of multiple sclerosis onset and disability worsening

Author

Listed:
  • Aina Vaivade

    (Uppsala University)

  • Ida Erngren

    (Uppsala University)

  • Henrik Carlsson

    (Uppsala University)

  • Eva Freyhult

    (Uppsala University)

  • Payam Emami Khoonsari

    (Uppsala University
    Stockholm University)

  • Yassine Noui

    (Uppsala University)

  • Asma Al-Grety

    (Uppsala University)

  • Torbjörn Åkerfeldt

    (Uppsala University)

  • Ola Spjuth

    (Uppsala University)

  • Valentina Gallo

    (University of Groningen)

  • Anders Olof Larsson

    (Uppsala University)

  • Ingrid Kockum

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Karolinska University Hospital
    Academic Specialist Center)

  • Anna Karin Hedström

    (Karolinska Institutet)

  • Lars Alfredsson

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Karolinska Institutet
    Region)

  • Tomas Olsson

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Karolinska University Hospital
    Academic Specialist Center)

  • Joachim Burman

    (Uppsala University)

  • Kim Kultima

    (Uppsala University)

Abstract

Exposure to per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) is associated with adverse human health effects, including immunosuppression. It is unknown if these substances can affect the course of autoimmune diseases. This study was based on 907 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 907 matched controls, where the MS cases were followed longitudinally using the Swedish MS register. We demonstrate sex- and disease-specific differences in serum PFAS concentrations between individuals with MS and controls. Moreover, two OH-PCBs (4-OH-CB187 and 3-OH-CB153) are associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, regardless of sex and immigration status. With a clinical follow-up time of up to 18 years, an increase in serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) decreases the risk of confirmed disability worsening in both sexes, as well as perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), only in males with MS. These results show previously unknown associations between OH-PCBs and the risk of developing MS, as well as the inverse associations between PFAS exposure and the risk of disability worsening in MS.

Suggested Citation

  • Aina Vaivade & Ida Erngren & Henrik Carlsson & Eva Freyhult & Payam Emami Khoonsari & Yassine Noui & Asma Al-Grety & Torbjörn Åkerfeldt & Ola Spjuth & Valentina Gallo & Anders Olof Larsson & Ingrid Ko, 2025. "Associations of PFAS and OH-PCBs with risk of multiple sclerosis onset and disability worsening," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57172-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57172-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anna Rignell-Hydbom & Maria Elfving & Sten A Ivarsson & Christian Lindh & Bo A G Jönsson & Per Olofsson & Lars Rylander, 2010. "A Nested Case-Control Study of Intrauterine Exposure to Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants in Relation to Risk of Type 1 Diabetes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(6), pages 1-6, June.
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