OR-05 SEX DIFFERENCES IN VASCULAR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS

Abstract

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in multiple sclerosis (MS), and recent data showed that subclinical markers of atherosclerosis are higher in MS as well. Prevalence of MS in men is much lower than in women, but their prognosis is much worse. Men with MS also have higher rates of hypertension and diabetes than women with MS. Whether vascular function and structure differs in men than in women with MS, and whether potential sex differences are similar to those in healthy controls, is unknown. Aim: To compare vascular function and structure between men and women in a group with MS and in healthy controls. Methods: After a 10 minute rest in the supine position, resting heart rate (HR) and brachial blood pressure (BP) were collected. Augmentation index (AIX), HR normalized AIX (AIX@HR75) and pulse wave velocity were measured with applanation tonometry. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and beta-stiffness were measured with carotid ultrasound, and Forearm Blood Flow (Baseline, Peak and Area Under the Curve) was measured with strain gauge plethysmography. Data were analyzed with a two-way independent ANOVA for factors group, sex and group*sex. Results: In both groups, men were taller and heavier than the women, had higher SBP, lower AIX and AIX@HR75, larger IMT and higher baseline and peak FBF. Different patterns were observed in the sex differences for AIX and AIX@HR75 (in women similar in MS and controls, in men higher in MS than in controls). Conclusions: People with MS demonstrate a vascular profile consistent with a higher cardiovascular risk compared to controls. Sex differences were similar in subjects with and without MS, except for the significantly higher AIX and AIX@HR75 in men with MS vs male controls, suggesting males with MS may be particularly at risk for cardiovascular disease. Control MS p-values factors # Female (n=21) Male (n=18) Female (n=52) Male (n=18) Group Sex Inter-action Age 49 ± 10 41 ± 9 48 ± 12 48 ± 13 0.228 0.126 0.109 Height (cm) 164 ± 6 177 ± 5 163 ± 7 179 ± 6 0.867 <0.001** 0.264 Weight (kg) 69 ± 10 89 ± 13 73 ± 14 88 ± 17 0.679 <0.001** 0.431 BMI 26 ± 4 28 ± 5 28 ± 6 28 ± 6 0.579 0.218 0.243 HR rest 59 ± 9 60 ± 12 65 ± 8 66 ± 12 0.004** 0.582 0.739 SBP rest 120 ± 12 128 ± 8 119 ± 16 125 ± 12 0.440 0.015* 0.672 DBP rest 76 ± 9 76 ± 11 72 ± 10 77 ± 8 0.429 0.269 0.341 MAP rest 91 ± 10 94 ± 10 88 ± 11 93 ± 9 0.410 0.081 0.688 AIX 31 ± 10 10 ± 15 27 ± 12 17 ± 12 0.510 <0.001** 0.038* AIX@HR75 23 ± 8 3 ± 16 22 ± 11 13 ± 9 0.074 <0.001** 0.018* PWVc 6 ± 1 7 ± 1 7 ± 2 7 ± 2 0.058 0.695 0.675 PWVc/MAP 0.07 ± 0.01 0.07 ± 0.01 0.08 ± 0.02 0.08 ± 0.02 0.013* 0.525 0.445 IMT 0.45 ± 0.08 0.51 ± 0.11 0.53 ± 0.12 0.6 ± 0.13 0.001** 0.010* 0.985 Beta 7.04 ± 2.21 6.64 ± 2.04 7.25 ± 2.03 8.07 ± 3.57 0.104 0.675 0.227 FBF Baseline 3.1 ± 1.3 3.7 ± 1 1.9 ± 0.9 2 ± 0.9 <0.001** 0.099 0.203 FBF Peak 20.6 ± 7.1 27.2 ± 7 15.6 ± 5.8 20.5 ± 6.6 <0.001** <0.001** 0.533 FBF AUC 70 ± 23.3 94 ± 27.7 58 ± 22.2 68 ± 26.6 <0.001** 0.001** 0.160 #two-way independent ANOVA with Group, Sex and Group*Sex as factors. *p<0.05. **p<0.01.