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Autoimmune Comorbidities Are Associated with Brain Injury in Multiple Sclerosis
R Zivadinov1, B Raj2, M Ramanathan3
1From the, Department of Neurology (R.Z., B.R., J.D., M.G.D., N.B.), Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center MR Imaging Clinical Translational Research Center (R.Z.) rzivadinov@bnac.net.
Background And Purpose:
The effect of comorbidities on disease severity in MS has not been extensively characterized. We determined the association of comorbidities with MR imaging disease severity outcomes in MS.
Materials And Methods:
Demographic and clinical history of 9 autoimmune comorbidities confirmed by retrospective chart review and quantitative MR imaging data were obtained in 815 patients with MS. The patients were categorized on the basis of the presence/absence of total and specific comorbidities. We analyzed the MR imaging findings, adjusting for key covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons.
Results:
Two hundred forty-one (29.6%) study subjects presented with comorbidities. Thyroid disease had the highest frequency (n = 97, 11.9%), followed by asthma (n = 41, 5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 40, 4.9%), psoriasis (n = 33, 4%), and rheumatoid arthritis (n = 22, 2.7%). Patients with MS with comorbidities showed decreased whole-brain and cortical volumes (P < .001), gray matter volume and magnetization transfer ratio of normal-appearing brain tissue (P < .01), and magnetization transfer ratio of gray matter (P < .05). Psoriasis, thyroid disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus comorbidities were associated with decreased whole-brain, cortical, and gray matter volumes (P < .05). Psoriasis was associated with a decreased magnetization transfer ratio of normal-appearing brain tissue (P < .05), while type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with increased mean diffusivity (P < .01).
Conclusions:
The presence of comorbidities in patients with MS is associated with brain injury on MR imaging. Psoriasis, thyroid disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus comorbidities were associated with more severe nonconventional MR imaging outcomes.
Insights
Comorbidities in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are linked to brain injury. Specific conditions like psoriasis and thyroid disease correlate with worse outcomes on MRI scans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Comorbidities in multiple sclerosis (MS) are not well understood.
- Investigating the impact of comorbidities on MS disease severity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between comorbidities and MR imaging-defined disease severity in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 815 MS patients.
- Analysis of demographic, clinical history, and quantitative MR imaging data.
- Categorization based on presence/absence of comorbidities, with statistical adjustments.
Main Results:
- 29.6% of MS patients had comorbidities; thyroid disease was most frequent.
- Comorbidities were associated with reduced whole-brain, cortical, and gray matter volumes.
- Psoriasis, thyroid disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus linked to decreased brain volumes; psoriasis also to altered normal-appearing brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- Comorbidities in MS patients are associated with significant brain injury on MR imaging.
- Psoriasis, thyroid disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus indicate more severe outcomes.
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