الفهرس 
Multiple SclerosisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Summary
ultiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affect the central nervous system. It is a highly variable disease in its course and progression with a difficult prognosis. Determining the prognostic factors and the factors that affect disease progression is very important in order to properly manage patients with MS. Vascular comorbidities are among the factors that could contribute to the disease progression, and they are prevalent in MS population as they are prevalent in the general population. Moreover, some studies indicate even an increased prevalence in MS population compared to the general population. This increased prevalence could be due to shared underlying pathological mechanisms between MS and vascular diseases; presence of common risk factors such as sedentary lifestyle, physical invalidity, chronic inflammation and adverse health behavior; as well as certain MS treatments that could exacerbate vascular diseases and have negative effects on the cardiovascular system.
We aimed to assess the effects of vascular comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia on MS disease progression and outcomes. Our study included 225 MS patients divided into 2 groups: with and without vascular comorbidities. In our study vascular comorbidities were associated with increased disability in MS patients. Our results confirm the negative impact of vascular comorbidities in MS and disability progression and disease outcomes, and support the importance of considering the presence of these comorbidities in patients with MS.
Recommendations:
- Presence of vascular comorbidities should be considered by physicians treating patients with MS.
- Early diagnosis and management of such comorbidities are important in MS patients.
- Comorbidities must be continually monitored in those patients.
- A proper clinical evaluation and follow of MS patients with vascular comorbidities is of great importance to detect disease progression.
- Patients should be counseled on the possible effects of vascular comorbidities on MS, and should be advised to avoid risk factors, control comorbidities via proper medications, and keep a healthy lifestyle.
- Future research need to take into consideration the effects of different vascular disease medications while studying their impact in MS.
- More research is needed to investigate whether the proper management and controlling of these comorbidities will ameliorate their effect in patients with MS and figure out the best management strategies for MS patients with vascular comorbidities