Meta-Analysis Finds More Arterial Stiffness in Patients With MS

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have significantly worse vascular function, particularly greater arterial stiffness, compared with healthy controls, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published online in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.

“Notably, major differences were detected in markers of arterial stiffness, but not in other outcomes of arterial structure or function,” wrote corresponding author Peixuan Zheng, PhD, and coauthors from the University of Illinois Chicago Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Chicago, Illinois.

The systematic review and meta-analysis spanned 14 studies comparing vascular function in patients with MS and healthy controls. Effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMDs), with a positive effect signaling worse vascular function in patients with MS.

A total 614 patients with MS were included in the studies. Among them, 72% were women, and the mean age ranged from 29.9 to 54.4 years.

The difference in vascular function in patients with MS compared with healthy controls was moderate, with a 0.56 SMD, according to the study. Vascular function differences were not significantly moderated by demographic, clinical, or study factors, including patient age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, MS type or duration, use of disease-modifying treatment, or study year.

Analysis showed a significant pooled effect size—0.78 SMD—for arterial stiffness outcomes in patients with MS compared with controls, but not for arterial structure or function outcomes.

“Our findings support future research on the cause, consequence, and management of vascular dysfunction among persons with MS,” researchers wrote. “Such research will inform future development of targeted, evidence-based interventions for improving vascular health and managing comorbid conditions among the MS population.”

Reference

Zheng P, DuBose NG, DeJonge SR, Jeng B, Hibner BA, Motl RW. Vascular function in multiple sclerosis: systematic review with meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024;91:105902. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2024.105902