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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Association between chronological age and vascular function in adults with and without multiple sclerosis
Noah G DuBose1, Sydney R DeJonge1, Trevor B Martin1
1Integrative Physiology Laboratory, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with vascular comorbidity that increases with age. Vascular function (VF) is associated with vascular comorbidity and outcomes such as cognition, fatigue, and disability in MS. Age predicts VF in the general population, yet this relationship is unknown in MS.
Objectives/Methods:
This study compared MS (n=129) and controls (n=51) based on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx75) and examined age as a predictor of PWV and AIx75.
Results:
The samples did not differ based on age, sex or body mass index (BMI). PWV was higher in MS than controls (7.2 m/s vs. 6.6 m/s), whereas AIx75 was not different (21.3 % vs. 18.7 %). Regression analysis indicated that after controlling for BMI and mean arterial pressure (MAP), age remained a significant predictor of PWV only in MS (β = 0.256, p<0.01). After controlling for sex, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores, disease duration, and MAP, age remained a significant predictor of AIx75 in MS (β = 0.371, p<0.01), as well as in controls after controlling for sex, BMI, and MAP (β = 0.347, p<0.01).
Conclusions:
These results suggest that age predicts VF in MS and establish the need for future research that examines VF across the lifespan in MS.
Insights
Age significantly predicts vascular function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, impacting outcomes like cognition and fatigue. This highlights the need to study vascular aging throughout the MS lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Neurology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to vascular comorbidities that worsen with age.
- Vascular function (VF) impacts MS outcomes including cognition, fatigue, and disability.
- The relationship between age and VF in MS is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare vascular function (VF) between MS patients and controls.
- To investigate age as a predictor of VF parameters in MS.
- To assess carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx75).
Main Methods:
- Compared 129 MS patients and 51 controls on PWV and AIx75.
- Utilized regression analysis to determine predictors of VF.
- Controlled for factors like BMI, MAP, sex, EDSS, and disease duration.
Main Results:
- MS patients had higher PWV (7.2 m/s) than controls (6.6 m/s); AIx75 did not differ.
- Age significantly predicted PWV in MS patients after controlling for BMI and MAP (β = 0.256, p<0.01).
- Age significantly predicted AIx75 in both MS patients (β = 0.371, p<0.01) and controls (β = 0.347, p<0.01) after relevant adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Age is a significant predictor of vascular function in individuals with MS.
- Future research should explore vascular aging across the lifespan in MS.
- Understanding age-related VF changes is crucial for managing MS outcomes.
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