Is multiple sclerosis a risk factor for atherosclerosis?

Box-plot representing right and mean CIMT in patient and control groups. CIMT: carotid intima-media thickness.▪ •CIMT seemed to be affected in patients with MS when comparing with healthy controls.who had similar demographic variables (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, and cholesterol levels).•During remission Hs-CRP has been found at normal levels.•Different disease-modifying therapies may have altered the inflammation process. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. We aimed to discuss possible predisposing factors to atherosclerosis such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels in MS. Thirty-five ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (22 females and 13 males) and 34 healthy controls (21 females and 13 males) with similar demographic variables were included. Blood cell counts, cholesterol levels, vitamin D and B12, Hs-CRP levels, body mass index (BMI), history of smoking, and CIMT of both groups, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and disease duration of patients were recorded. Patients with a history of other vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and acute relapses were excluded. Sixty-nine participants were included. The mean age of the study population was 35.8±7.1 years. Right CIMT was significantly greater in the patient population (P