Studies
| Study Title: | Subclinical atherosclerosis in multiple sclerosis |
| Rationale: | This study is being done to find out why people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have an increased risk of heart disease. |
| Study Description: | This study is being done to find out why people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have an increased risk of heart disease. Atherosclerosis is condition in which the arteries are narrowed due to a build-up of plaque. The plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, clotting material from the blood and other factors. Atherosclerosis can occur silently without any clinical symptoms. This is called subclinical atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can also lead to clinical symptoms such as heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Also, the frequency of heart disease is higher in persons with MS than in persons without MS. This is true even after taking into account strong risk factors for heart disease such as male sex, older age, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Therefore, it is very important that we find out why people with MS have an increased risk of heart disease. A better understanding of the reasons for heart disease will guide efforts to prevent heart disease designed specifically for people with MS. One way to measure atherosclerosis is to do an ultrasound of the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are two large blood vessels that supply blood to the head, neck and face. The thickness of the inner layers of the artery wall (the intima media) can be used as a marker of atherosclerosis; this is referred to as carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Ultrasound can measure CIMT quickly, safely and non-invasively. We will use this approach in our study. If you agree to participate in this study you will be asked to come to the Health Sciences Centre once, and to come to Deer Lodge once, as detailed below. The first visit should take about 1 hour of your time, and will involve a brief examination, obtaining a blood sample, and completing several questionnaires. The second visit will involve getting a carotid ultrasound. |
| Starting Date: | 2022-05-01 |
| Ending Date: | 2023-07-30 |
| Who can participate: | We will recruit 108 persons with definite MS, of whom 54 will not have a history of any strong vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking), or existing vascular disease. We will also recruit 82 persons without MS, of whom 54 will not have a history of any strong vascular risk factors or existing vascular disease; they will be similar in age and gender to participants with MS. |
| Trial Institution: | University of Manitoba |
| Trial Investigator: | Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie |
| Contact Information: | Jessica Steer imid@hsc.mb.ca |
| Trial Funding: | Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada |