Carotid intima-media thickness measurements in patients with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate the mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients with MS were enrolled. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured by Doppler Ultrasonography. The mean CIMT was then compared between different groups of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), medications, and site of the MS plaques in the brain and cervical MRI. In addition, disease duration, annual relapse rate, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were compared between high and normal CIMT groups. RESULTS: Among 100 patients, Sixty-two percent of the patients were female. The mean age was 35.95 ± 9.32 years. Mean CIMT was 0.38 ± 0.2 mm, and 22% of the patients had abnormal CIMT measures. CIMT was significantly associated with higher age (P = 0.01) and prolonged disease duration (P < 0.001). CIMT was not associated with other disease factors or types of the disease-modifying drug (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Multiple Sclerosis might be associated with carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease.