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Measures of adiposity differentially correlate with C-reactive protein among persons with multiple sclerosis
Tracy Baynard1, Thessa I M Hilgenkamp2, Elizabeth C Schroeder1
1Integrative Physiology Laboratory and the Department of Kinesiology & Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1919 W. Taylor St., MC-517, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
Background:
While MS is considered, in part, an inflammatory disease, the relationship between measures of adiposity and MS have not been well studied. This is important considering the strength of the association between adiposity and inflammation reported in the general population, and the resultant increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Evidence demonstrates MS is associated with higher prevalence rates of cardiovascular disease than the general population, which provides an impetus to examine how measures of adiposity and systemic inflammation are related in individuals with MS.
Objective:
To examine the association between measures of adiposity and systemic inflammation, specifically using the global marker C-reactive protein (CRP), among persons with MS compared with a control group without MS.
Methods:
Persons with MS and a control group (n = 33/group) had measures of adiposity (body mass index, total body fat, and trunk fat) correlated and regressed to CRP.
Results:
Differential relationships between CRP and adiposity measures were observed between the MS group and the control group. Within the MS group, when adjusted for sex, age, and physical activity level, only whole body percent fat explained a significant portion of the variance in CRP (adjusted R2 = 0.095, p < 0.05), whereas all of the adiposity measures explained a significant degree of variance within the control group (p < 0.05), with trunk fat mass having the strongest correlation.
Conclusions:
The differential relationships observed between the MS and control groups suggests that whole body fat may be a more important factor related to whole body inflammation in MS, rather than other adiposity markers, such as BMI or trunk fat. This differential association should be taken into account in future research examining body fatness/obesity and CRP.
Insights
In individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whole body fat percentage is linked to systemic inflammation (CRP), unlike in controls. This finding highlights body fat
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Metabolic disease research
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is partly inflammatory, yet adiposity's role is understudied.
- Adiposity links to inflammation and cardiovascular/metabolic disease risk in the general population.
- MS patients have higher cardiovascular disease rates, necessitating research into adiposity, inflammation, and MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between adiposity measures and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP).
- To compare these associations in individuals with MS versus a control group without MS.
Main Methods:
- Compared 33 individuals with MS to 33 controls.
- Measured adiposity (BMI, total body fat, trunk fat) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
- Correlated and regressed adiposity measures against CRP.
Main Results:
- Differential relationships between CRP and adiposity were found between groups.
- In MS patients, only whole body percent fat significantly predicted CRP variance (adjusted R²=0.095, p<0.05).
- In controls, all adiposity measures predicted CRP variance (p<0.05), with trunk fat showing the strongest correlation.
Conclusions:
- Whole body fat percentage may be a key factor in MS-related systemic inflammation, more so than BMI or trunk fat.
- Future research on body fatness, obesity, and CRP in MS should consider these differential associations.
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