Chronic comorbidity in multiple sclerosis is associated with lower incomes and dissolved intimate relationships.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The social and economic consequences of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS) are largely unexplored. Differences were investigated in income and in the rate of broken relationships between cases of MS with and without chronic comorbidity. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cohort study including all incident cases of MS in Denmark with clinical MS onset between 1980 and 2005. The difference in income was investigated at MS onset and 5 and 10 years after MS onset. The difference in the rate of broken relationships was investigated in subjects who were in a relationship at MS onset or who entered a relationship after MS onset. We used logistic, multiple linear and Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS: Cases of MS with somatic comorbidity had increased odds of low incomes both 5 years {odds ratio (OR), 1.41 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-1.67; P < 0.0005]} and 10 years [OR, 1.37 (95% CI, 1.17-1.60); P < 0.0005] after MS onset. The odds of a low income with psychiatric comorbidity was increased 10 years after MS onset [OR, 3.06 (95% CI, 1.47-6.37); P = 0.003]. The rate of broken relationships was increased in cases of MS with any somatic comorbidity [incidence rate ratio, 1.46 (95% CI, 1.32-1.61); P < 0.0005]. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underscore the burden of comorbidity in MS on patients, their partners and society.

Cultivation of hepatoma cell line HepG2 on nanoporous aluminum oxide membranes.

Nanoporous aluminum oxide membranes were prepared by anodic oxidation of aluminum for application as novel cell culture substrates. Self-supporting as well as mechanically stabilized nanoporous membranes were produced from aluminum plates and micro-imprinted aluminum foils, respectively. Membranes of two different pore sizes (70 and 260 nm) were selected to investigate cellular interactions with such nanoporous substrates using cells of hepatoma cell line HepG2. The membranes express excellent cell-growth conditions. As shown by scanning electron microscopy investigations, the cells could easily adhere to the membranes and proliferate during a 4 day cell culture period. The cells exhibit normal morphology and were able to penetrate into pores with a diameter of 260 nm by small extensions (filopodia). On mechanically stabilized aluminum oxide membranes it was observed that the cells even adhere to the walls of the small cavities. It was demonstrated experimentally that the nanoporous aluminum oxide membranes are well suited as substrates in cell culture model systems for metabolic, pharmacological/toxicological research, tissue engineering and studies on pathogens as well as bioartificial liver systems.