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Serum uric acid concentrations are directly associated with the presence of benign multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

It has been reported that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibit lower serum uric acid levels; however, the association between uric acid concentrations and benign MS (BMS) has not been assessed. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine whether the serum concentrations of uric acid are associated with the presence of BMS. Men and non-pregnant women over 16 years of age with diagnosis of MS were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Expanded Disability Status Scale score < 3, progression of disease ≤10 years, diabetes, renal or hepatic diseases, gout, malignancy, alcohol intake, and treatment with thiazide diuretics and/or acetylsalicylic acid were exclusion criteria. According to subtype of disease, the eligible patients were allocated into groups with BMS and other varieties of MS. A logistic regression analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the association between serum concentrations of uric acid and BMS. A total of 106 patients were included, 39 in the group with BMS and 67 in the group with other varieties of MS. The logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, and disease duration showed that increased concentrations of uric acid, indeed within the physiological levels, are significantly associated with the presence of BMS (OR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.55–4.38, p < 0.001). The results of the present study suggest that elevated concentrations of uric acid, indeed within the physiological range, are likely linked to the presence of BMS.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Department of Neurology from the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional “La Raza”, México City.

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Correspondence to Luis E. Simental-Mendía.

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Simental-Mendía, E., Simental-Mendía, L.E. & Guerrero-Romero, F. Serum uric acid concentrations are directly associated with the presence of benign multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 38, 1665–1669 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-3043-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-3043-1

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