Medical Bulletin 27/December/2025

Published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the findings highlight that even minor improvements in diet can confer protection, particularly for young adults and nonsmokers.

MS is a chronic disorder in which the immune system attacks nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, leading to fatigue, balance problems, and progressive disability. Genetics play a role, but environmental factors such as lifestyle, smoking, and diet also influence its onset. The Mediterranean diet, well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, has already been linked to lower risks of Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Researchers wanted to find out whether these same properties might shield against MS, a disease heavily associated with inflammation of the central nervous system.

Led by Dr. Sara Ratti from the University of Milano Bicocca, investigators analyzed data from 41,428 adults enrolled in the long running Swedish National March Cohort—one of the world’s largest lifestyle surveys. Participants, none with MS at baseline, completed detailed questionnaires about their diet, physical activity, vitamin intake, and smoking habits. Researchers then calculated each person’s Mediterranean Diet Score (0–9), awarding points for higher consumption of plant based foods and healthier fats, and subtracting for excess meat or dairy.

During an average 17.6 year follow up, 89 participants developed MS. Each 1 point increase in the Mediterranean Diet Score corresponded to a 14% lower disease risk overall, rising to 26% among nonsmokers and 23% in people under 45. Even partial adherence offered benefits; those making small dietary shifts—like adding extra vegetables or swapping butter for olive oil—saw gradual risk reductions.

The protective effect vanished among smokers, likely because tobacco related inflammation overrides diet’s anti inflammatory power, Ratti explained. Younger adults benefited the most, reinforcing the value of adopting healthy habits early in life.

Experts including Johns Hopkins neurologist Dr. Michael Kornberg praised the study’s robust design but noted that definitive causation requires randomized trials. Still, the results strengthen existing evidence that what we eat influences neurological disease risk.

REFERENCE: Ratti S, Eke H, Cantarutti A, et al. Mediterranean diet and risk of multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/13524585251396408

Stiffer Colon Linked to Higher Risk of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Our tissues can bend, stretch, and heal—but when they stiffen, trouble begins. A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that chronic inflammation may literally harden the colon, setting the stage for early onset colorectal cancer (CRC)—a form of the disease increasingly seen in younger adults. Published in Advanced Science, the research uncovers how microscopic mechanical forces inside the gut may be driving this alarming trend.

Colorectal cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of cancer death. While overall cases in older adults have dropped thanks to better screening, rates among people under 50 have climbed sharply over the past three decades. Many of these early cases aren’t linked to inherited genetic syndromes, leaving scientists searching for environmental and biological triggers. The new study identifies colon tissue stiffness—caused by chronic, low grade inflammation—as a key mechanical factor that may help cancer cells thrive and spread.

Led by Dr. Jacopo Ferruzzi, assistant professor of bioengineering at UT Dallas, the team analyzed tissue samples from 33 patients—19 with traditional (average onset) CRC and 14 with early onset CRC. Each sample included both tumor tissue and nearby healthy margins to compare structural differences. Using advanced biomechanical testing and imaging techniques, the researchers measured how elastic or rigid each sample was. They discovered that both tumors and noncancerous tissue from younger patients were significantly stiffer than those from older counterparts, suggesting that this rigidity likely emerges before tumor formation.

When they looked deeper, collagen—the main protein that gives tissues strength—proved to be the culprit. In early onset CRC, collagen fibers were denser, longer, more aligned, and more mature, all hallmarks of chronic scarring. Genetic analysis confirmed that early onset tissues showed heightened activity of collagen related and inflammatory genes, as well as those promoting new blood vessel formation, which can fuel tumor growth.

By tying together inflammation, stiffness, and cancer biology, this study opens a promising new path for research—and possibly prevention. Targeting tissue remodeling and chronic inflammation early in life could help blunt the rise of colorectal cancer in the young.

REFRENCE: Nicole C. Huning, Munir H. Buhaya, Victor V. Nguyen, Afeefah Khazi-Syed, Haider A. Ali, Adil Khan, Angela Fan, Robert C. Fisher, Zhikai Chi, Indu Raman, Guangchun Chen, Chengsong Zhu, Mengxi Yu, Andrew R. Jamieson, Sara Roccabianca, Victor D. Varner, Cheryl M. Lewis, Emina H. Huang, Jacopo Ferruzzi; Biomechanical Phenotyping Reveals Unique Mechanobiological Signatures of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer; https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202514693

Chronic Skin Problems May Secretly Drive Addictions, Study Finds

Living with a chronic skin condition can be far more than skin deep—it can quietly affect a person’s mental health, emotions, and daily habits. A large pan European study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology has revealed a worrying link between poorer quality of life and addictive behaviors in people with chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis. The findings suggest that for many patients, emotional distress may lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, including addiction.

Chronic dermatologic conditions have long been associated with anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The constant stress, visible symptoms, and stigma can push patients toward behaviors that temporarily relieve discomfort—such as smoking, drinking, or compulsive internet use. Yet, evidence from large, multicenter studies on addiction in dermatology was scarce until now. To fill this gap, researchers led by Dr. Stefanie Ziehfreund from the Technical University of Munich conducted one of the most comprehensive analyses across 20 European countries.

The cross sectional study involved 3,585 adults diagnosed with various chronic skin disorders treated at tertiary dermatology centers. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing disease characteristics, demographic details, and patterns of addictive behavior—including smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, gambling, eating disorders, and internet addiction—alongside the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a validated measure of how skin disease impacts daily life.

The results were striking: 25.7% of patients smoked, 8.8% showed hazardous drinking, 5.3% had drug use disorders, 4.5% reported gambling problems, and nearly 30% screened positive for internet addiction. Smoking was particularly common among those with psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, while gambling tendencies appeared more in patients with alopecia areata and vitiligo. Statistical analysis revealed that higher DLQI scores—indicating a worse quality of life—were consistently linked to higher rates of addictive behaviors. Young, single, and male participants were especially at risk.

By screening for addiction and offering mental health support alongside medical treatment, clinicians could help patients break harmful cycles and improve overall wellbeing.

This landmark study reframes chronic skin disease as not purely a physical disorder—but a biopsychosocial challenge intertwining visible symptoms with invisible struggles of coping and self control.

REFERENCE: Ziehfreund, S., Saak, M., Schaal, A., Mazilu, R., Mahé, E., Hajj, C., Johansson, E. K., Lysell, J., Sigurdardottir, G., Legat, F. J., Koch, C., Schmieder, A., Glatzel, C., Kirby, B., Pender, E., Zalewska-Janowska, A., Tomaszewska, K., Ciccarese, G., Lauriola, P., . . . Zink, A. Addiction and chronic skin diseases: A Pan-European study on prevalence, associations and patient impact. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.70245