Cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to brain atrophy in MS patients

The presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is associated with brain atrophy in MS patients ≤50 years, who are unlikely to have small vessel disease. An Italian cross-sectional observational study suggests CV risk factors have synergistic effects in MS [1]. The impact of CV risk factors on T2 hyperintense lesion volume and brain atrophy in MS patients aged ≤50 years was evaluated in 124 MS patients (relapsing-remitting MS, n=79; progressive MS, n=45) and 95 matched healthy controls. Participants underwent a complete neurological assessment and brain 3D T2-weighted and FLAIR MRI, as well as 3D T1-weighted MRI. Assessed traditional CV risk factors were smoking ≥5 pack-years, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and (pre-)diabetes. More stringent cut-offs were also assessed: smoking ≥10 pack-years, and hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or diabetes while on medication. Of the 124 MS patients, 48 had 1 traditional CV risk factor, 15 had 2 or more. Of 95 healthy control...

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Posted on 25 November, 202025 November, 2020