Contributions
Abstract: EP1432
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Environmental risk factors
Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) onset is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that high levels of vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, may decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis. A number of studies have shown that MS patients have lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D when compared to healthy populations.
Aims: To study the association between vitamin D serum levels and MS, as a putative prognostic and risk factor for the development and progression of the disease.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 262 patients with MS (63% females; mean age: 39.6 years; mean disease duration: 9.4 years), according to the revised McDonald criteria, from the outpatient Neuroimmunology Clinic of CHP-HSA. The control group consisted of 199 healthy volunteers (48% females; mean age: 43.2 years). A sub-group of recently diagnosed (2012-2015) patients (n=46) (61% females; mean age at onset: 29.7 years), in which Vitamin D levels were measured at diagnosis, was studied separately. An electro-chemiluminescence binding assay for the determination of total 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was used.
Results: The vitamin D serum levels were significantly lower (p< 0.0001) in the total of patients compared to healthy individuals (40.1±22.4 nmol/l vs. 55.8±24.0 nmol/l, respectively). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between Vitamin D concentration and EDSS and MSSS scores (p=0.001). Vitamin D levels of recently diagnosed MS patients were also significantly lower (p< 0.0001) compared to healthy individuals (39.7±18.9 nmol/l vs. 55.8±24.0 nmol/l, respectively).
Conclusions: There is compelling evidence that suggests that lower levels of Vitamin D are associated with an increased risk and disease activity in MS. In the total group of patients the majority (68%) have severe deficits of Vitamin D, and low Vitamin D levels were associated with higher impairment. This negative correlation can be partially explained by the fact that patients with higher EDSS and MSSS have less sun exposure. The sub-group of patients with recent diagnosis also presented severe deficits of Vitamin D levels confirming low Vitamin D levels as a risk factor for the development of the disease.
Disclosure:
This work was supported by Merck Serono Portugal.
Andreia Bettencourt: nothing to disclose
Daniela Boleixa: nothing to disclose
Ana Luísa Sousa: nothing to disclose
Ernestina Santos: nothing to disclose
António Marinho: nothing to disclose
José Carlos Oliveira: nothing to disclose
Júlia Reis: nothing to disclose
Paulo Pinho e Costa: nothing to disclose
Berta Silva: nothing to disclose
Ana Martins da Silva: nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1432
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Environmental risk factors
Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) onset is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that high levels of vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, may decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis. A number of studies have shown that MS patients have lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D when compared to healthy populations.
Aims: To study the association between vitamin D serum levels and MS, as a putative prognostic and risk factor for the development and progression of the disease.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 262 patients with MS (63% females; mean age: 39.6 years; mean disease duration: 9.4 years), according to the revised McDonald criteria, from the outpatient Neuroimmunology Clinic of CHP-HSA. The control group consisted of 199 healthy volunteers (48% females; mean age: 43.2 years). A sub-group of recently diagnosed (2012-2015) patients (n=46) (61% females; mean age at onset: 29.7 years), in which Vitamin D levels were measured at diagnosis, was studied separately. An electro-chemiluminescence binding assay for the determination of total 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was used.
Results: The vitamin D serum levels were significantly lower (p< 0.0001) in the total of patients compared to healthy individuals (40.1±22.4 nmol/l vs. 55.8±24.0 nmol/l, respectively). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between Vitamin D concentration and EDSS and MSSS scores (p=0.001). Vitamin D levels of recently diagnosed MS patients were also significantly lower (p< 0.0001) compared to healthy individuals (39.7±18.9 nmol/l vs. 55.8±24.0 nmol/l, respectively).
Conclusions: There is compelling evidence that suggests that lower levels of Vitamin D are associated with an increased risk and disease activity in MS. In the total group of patients the majority (68%) have severe deficits of Vitamin D, and low Vitamin D levels were associated with higher impairment. This negative correlation can be partially explained by the fact that patients with higher EDSS and MSSS have less sun exposure. The sub-group of patients with recent diagnosis also presented severe deficits of Vitamin D levels confirming low Vitamin D levels as a risk factor for the development of the disease.
Disclosure:
This work was supported by Merck Serono Portugal.
Andreia Bettencourt: nothing to disclose
Daniela Boleixa: nothing to disclose
Ana Luísa Sousa: nothing to disclose
Ernestina Santos: nothing to disclose
António Marinho: nothing to disclose
José Carlos Oliveira: nothing to disclose
Júlia Reis: nothing to disclose
Paulo Pinho e Costa: nothing to disclose
Berta Silva: nothing to disclose
Ana Martins da Silva: nothing to disclose