Objective:

We sought to determine if engaging in same-sex high risk sexual behavior correlates with higher likelihood of diagnosis of MS.

Background:

Adolescence is a pivotal time window during which lifestyle and environmental factors impact the lifetime risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Sexual behavior is one personal factor that is relevant in adolescence and young-adulthood; however, it is unclear the relationship that sexual behavior has to lifetime risk of MS. Early identification and treatment of MS is a crucial factor in predicting health outcomes of patients with MS.

Design/Methods:

This study is a retrospective secondary analysis of cross-sectional data in the TriNetX health database. High risk sexual behavior (HRSB) includes: unprotected intercourse, intercourse under influence of substances, intercourse with persons with intravenous drug use, multiple sexual partners, early age of sexual intercourse, and intercourse with sex workers. ICD-10 separates HRSB into same-sex (Z72.52-53) and opposite-sex (Z72.51) behavior.

Results:

We identified 13,595 males and 9,589 females with same-sex HRSB, and 64,409 males and 137,450 females with opposite-sex HRSB. Cohorts were balanced on age, race, and ethnicity. Males engaging in same-sex behavior had a 2.80-fold higher risk of MS diagnosis (95% CI: 1.66-4.73). Females engaging in same-sex behavior had a 2.30-fold higher risk (95% CI: 1.65-3.20). There was no significant risk difference between adults engaging in any form of high-risk sexual behavior compared to adults not engaging in high-risk sexual behavior (p = 0.41).

Conclusions: