Contributions
Abstract: 147
Type: Free Communications
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Comorbidity
Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disability progression can be influenced by several factors, including age, sex and comorbidities, which partially explain the heterogeneity of the disease. Some of these factors are modifiable, which could have impact in disease prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of vascular risk factors in MS progression.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study, involving seven Portuguese MS centres. Included patients had to fulfil the 2010 McDonald Clinical Criteria for MS, excluding primary progressive MS. Both the presence of vascular comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking) at the time of MS diagnosis and during follow-up (at any point in the disease course) were analysed. The main outcome measure was Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS). Using linear and logistic multivariate regression models, we evaluated the association between vascular comorbidity status and MSSS, adjusting for age and sex.
Results: We included 601 patients in this study, with a mean age of 42.6 ± 11.3 years and female sex (72,2%) predominance. The mean duration of disease was 11 years and the median EDSS was 1,5.
About one third of our patients presented at least one vascular comorbidity at diagnosis of MS (n = 201; 33.4%). After adjusting for age and sex, the presence of at least one vascular comorbidity at diagnosis was associated with higher MSSS (β=0.51, 95% CI=0.10 - 0.91; p=0.014). In agreement with this, compared to patients with no vascular comorbidities at diagnosis, those with at least one vascular risk factor presented increased odds of having a high rate of disability progression (MMSS>5) (adjusted OR=1,73, 95% CI=1,13 - 2,66; p=0,013).
About a half of our patients presented with at least one vascular comorbidity diagnosed at any point of the disease course. Although MSSS was significantly higher in this group (p=0,004), no association was found after adjusting for age, sex and type of disease course (β=0.17, 95% CI=-0.20 - 0.55; p=0.366).
Conclusion: Our study revealed that the presence of vascular comorbidity at diagnosis of MS was positively associated with higher rate of disability progression (MSSS). This is consistent with previous studies performed in other Western countries' populations and it suggests that the timely recognition of vascular risk factors is paramount to preventing adverse effects of these conditions on MS.
Disclosure: The study was supported by Biogen Idec. The authors have no other relevant disclosures.
Abstract: 147
Type: Free Communications
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Comorbidity
Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disability progression can be influenced by several factors, including age, sex and comorbidities, which partially explain the heterogeneity of the disease. Some of these factors are modifiable, which could have impact in disease prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of vascular risk factors in MS progression.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study, involving seven Portuguese MS centres. Included patients had to fulfil the 2010 McDonald Clinical Criteria for MS, excluding primary progressive MS. Both the presence of vascular comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking) at the time of MS diagnosis and during follow-up (at any point in the disease course) were analysed. The main outcome measure was Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS). Using linear and logistic multivariate regression models, we evaluated the association between vascular comorbidity status and MSSS, adjusting for age and sex.
Results: We included 601 patients in this study, with a mean age of 42.6 ± 11.3 years and female sex (72,2%) predominance. The mean duration of disease was 11 years and the median EDSS was 1,5.
About one third of our patients presented at least one vascular comorbidity at diagnosis of MS (n = 201; 33.4%). After adjusting for age and sex, the presence of at least one vascular comorbidity at diagnosis was associated with higher MSSS (β=0.51, 95% CI=0.10 - 0.91; p=0.014). In agreement with this, compared to patients with no vascular comorbidities at diagnosis, those with at least one vascular risk factor presented increased odds of having a high rate of disability progression (MMSS>5) (adjusted OR=1,73, 95% CI=1,13 - 2,66; p=0,013).
About a half of our patients presented with at least one vascular comorbidity diagnosed at any point of the disease course. Although MSSS was significantly higher in this group (p=0,004), no association was found after adjusting for age, sex and type of disease course (β=0.17, 95% CI=-0.20 - 0.55; p=0.366).
Conclusion: Our study revealed that the presence of vascular comorbidity at diagnosis of MS was positively associated with higher rate of disability progression (MSSS). This is consistent with previous studies performed in other Western countries' populations and it suggests that the timely recognition of vascular risk factors is paramount to preventing adverse effects of these conditions on MS.
Disclosure: The study was supported by Biogen Idec. The authors have no other relevant disclosures.