Hogancamp W E, Rodriguez M, Weinshenker B G
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Mayo Clin Proc. 1997 Sep;72(9):871-8. doi: 10.4065/72.9.871.
Although the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown, epidemiologic studies support both genetic and environmental components of susceptibility. Reports of clusters, small "epidemics," geographic variation in prevalence, and alteration of MS susceptibility by migration support an environmental factor (or factors). The higher risk for MS in Europeans and in relatives of patients and the existence of MS-resistant ethnic groups support genetic predisposition. Findings from epidemiologic studies are most consistent with an environmental influence occurring on a background of genetic susceptibility as the cause of MS. Currently, there is little evidence for a single or unique environmental cause of MS.
尽管多发性硬化症（MS）的病因尚不清楚，但流行病学研究支持易感性的遗传和环境因素。聚集性病例报告、小规模“流行”、患病率的地理差异以及移民导致的MS易感性改变均支持存在一个或多个环境因素。欧洲人以及患者亲属中MS风险较高，同时存在抗MS的种族群体，这些都支持遗传易感性。流行病学研究结果最符合这样一种观点，即MS的病因是在遗传易感性背景下发生的环境影响。目前，几乎没有证据表明MS存在单一或独特的环境病因。
