Washington, Oct 9 : Researchers in the Netherlands have found that smoking has no effect on the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The new finding is opposite to earlier studies, which suggested that smoking is linked to the progression of MS due to the high number of smokers with MS.

Therefore, researchers surveyed 364 people at both the initial and secondary stages of MS, 263 of whom were smokers.

The current findings of the survey revealed there is no correlation between cigarette smoking and the progression of MS.

“Because the cause of MS as well as reasons for progression is generally unknown, there have been many genetic and environmental factors tested,” study author Marcus W. Koch, MD, with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, said.

“Cigarette smoking is one more factor we can rule out,” Koch added.

Koch said that the new result is in conflict with a previous study that suggested cigarette smoking increased the rate of MS progress.

“Differences in that study’s size and methodology may account for this discrepancy. Since our study involved more people, and participants were personally interviewed, we feel it makes our results more accurate,” Koch said. (ANI)