Multiple sclerosis tied to higher risk for CVD, cerebrovascular disease

(HealthDay)—Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease that is not completely accounted for by traditional vascular risk factors, according to a study published online May 4 in JAMA Neurology.

Raffaele Palladino, Ph.D., from Imperial College of London, and colleagues evaluated data from general practices registered with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink in England (Jan. 1, 1987, to Sept. 30, 2018). The analysis included 12,251 patients with MS who were matched by age, sex, and general practice to 72,572 people without MS. Follow-up lasted a mean of 11.3 years.

The researchers found that people with MS had an increased risk for acute coronary syndrome (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28), cerebrovascular disease (HR, 1.59), macrovascular disease (HR, 1.32), all-cause mortality (HR, 3.46), and cardiovascular disease mortality (HR, 1.47) compared with people without MS. In women, there were greater differences noted in macrovascular events and mortality risk than in men. Lower mortality rates among people with MS were seen for those treated with lipid-lowering medications (mainly statins).

"Even after controlling for sociodemographic factors and traditional vascular risk factors, people with MS still had an increased risk of macrovascular disease, including acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, and any macrovascular disease," the authors write.

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