Influence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Prior studies have suggested that cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) can affect the prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to assess if CVRFs affect the early course of MS. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed, including patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) from 2010 to 2020, with at least 2 years of disease and 6 months follow-up. Age at onset, disease duration, number of relapses, time to confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.0 and 6.0, and time to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) were collected. Presence and date at onset of hypertension (HT), diabetes mellitus (DM), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), and smoking during the study period were collected. The primary objective was to assess if CVRFs at the onset of MS are associated with lower time to EDSS 3.0, time to EDSS 6.0, and time to SPMS, using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 281 RRMS patients were included; median age at onset was 33 (IQR 26-39); 69.4% were female. Median EDSS at onset was 1.5 (IQR 1-2.5). Nine patients reached SPMS; 24 patients were diagnosed with HT, 9 with DM, 109 with high LDLc, and 123 were smokers during follow-up. No statistically significant association was found between the presence of CVRF at MS onset and the mentioned clinical outcomes during the MS course. Conclusion: No association was found between CVRFs and the early course of MS in our cohort.