Vascular Comorbidities and an Increased Comorbidity Score Are Associated With Disability and Disability Progression in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vascular risk factors are associated with increased disease activity and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). This has been studied mainly in cohorts with relapsing-remitting MS. However, the association between vascular comorbidities (VCM) and clinical disability in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) is less well studied. Our aim was to investigate the association between VCM, non-VCM, comorbidity burden and both physical and cognitive performance in SPMS. METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of 445 patients from the MS secondary progressive multi-arm trial (MS-SMART)-a multi-arm multicentre phase-2b randomised placebo-controlled trial of three agents in SPMS (NCT01910259). VCM (hypertension and hyperlipidaemia) and non-VCM (asthma, hypothyroidism and osteoporosis) were recorded. A comorbidity score was also determined (0, 1, ≥ 2). Physical disability and processing speed were assessed at baseline, 48- and 96 weeks. Multiple linear regression and mixed models were used to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between baseline VCM, non-VCM, comorbidity score and clinical outcome measures. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly female (67%), median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 6.0. 13% and 9% had hypertension and hyperlipidaemia (VCM), respectively. 7%, 9% and 5% had asthma, hypothyroidism and osteoporosis (non-VCM), respectively. Co-morbidity counts were 0,63%; 1, 23% and with > = 2, 11%. In cross-sectional models, both hypertension (β = 0.36, 95% CI 0.18-0.54) and an increased comorbidity count (β = 0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.67) were associated with higher EDSS scores. In longitudinal models, hyperlipidaemia (β = 0.22, 95% CI 0.02-0.42) and increased comorbidity count (β = 0.21, 95% CI 0.01-0.41) were associated with increased EDSS scores over 48/96 weeks. No associations were seen with the non-VCM. CONCLUSION: VCM and also increased comorbidity burden per se are associated with increased disability. Disability worsening over 96 weeks was most evident in those with hyperlipidaemia and increased comorbidity burden.
Source: European Journal of Neurology
DOI: 10.1111/ene.70517
Institutions: Monash Health, Monash University, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Siena, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, UCL Biomedical Research Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,600
Funders: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sanofi, Queen Mary University of London, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Multiple Sclerosis Society, University of Warwick, Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, University College London, University of Oxford, University of Leeds, University of Nottingham, University of Sussex, University of Edinburgh, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, Medical Research Council, Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme, Warwick Medical School
OpenAlex ID: W7128513798