Community Health and Epidemiology’s Seminar Series
January 8th features Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie.
Can we improve disease-specific outcomes in multiple sclerosis by treating comorbidity?
Synopsis: Many attempts to predict outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) have focused on the characteristics at presentation, such as relapse localization or age at symptom onset, however these factors have only limited predicted value. Other characteristics of the individual, such as socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, genetic factors, health behaviors and comorbid conditions also influence outcomes.
Physical and psychiatric comorbid conditions are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the time of MS symptom onset and increase in prevalence with age and disease duration. Depression, anxiety disorders, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are among the most prevalent conditions affecting people with MS, and are associated with adverse outcomes. This raises the question as to whether targeting comorbidities could be a novel strategy to improve MS-specific outcomes.
Bio: Ruth Ann Marrie is a Professor of Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University. She received her undergraduate degree in chemistry and her medical degree from Dalhousie University, both with Distinction. She completed neurology training at McGill University. This was followed by a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic, supported by a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Subsequently, she obtained a PhD in Epidemiology from Case Western Reserve University. Presently, she serves as the Vice Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the International Progressive MS Alliance. She is the former Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for MS Canada, former Chair of the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2023 she was awarded the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research. Her research aims to understand the influence of comorbid diseases on a range of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related health outcomes. Other areas of research interest include etiologic factors for MS, patient-reported outcomes, and prodromal MS.
Contact che@dal.ca