Existe relação entre anticoncepcionais hormonais e a patogênese da esclerose múltipla em mulheres?

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes demyelination in the central nervous system and a progressive neurodegenerative response. Although both sexes can be affected, the Relapsing-Remitting clinical type has a significantly higher prevalence in women, with a ratio of 3:1 to men. Some studies have shown possible genetic, environmental, viral and hormonal factors involved in the development of the disease, however, there is still no definitive explanation for the higher prevalence in women. Considering the increasing use of hormonal contraceptives by women of childbearing age, this study aims to investigate the relationship between exogenous hormones and the progression of the disease in women. For this purpose, a screening was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases. Twenty studies were selected to compose the integrative review, with the level of evidence assessed by applying the Methodological Quality Scale (MQS). The study was written according to the protocol for preparing integrative studies. The results obtained indicate that the use of contraceptives is not associated with worsening of disability, severity of the disease, increased annual relapse rates or the formation of new brain lesions in women with multiple sclerosis. The findings emphasize the need for investigative research that explores the potential of hormones in randomized studies and preclinical methods.