Obesity tied to accelerated retinal atrophy in MS

Key clinical point: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with an accelerated rate of ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Major findings: Obese (n=146; BMI, ≥30 kg/m²) vs. normal weight (n=214; BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) patients showed accelerated rate of GCIPL atrophy (−0.57%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .012). Atrophy rates were not significantly different between overweight (n=153; BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m²) and normal weight patients (−0.47%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .41). GCIPL atrophy rate accelerated by −0.011% per year with each 1 kg/m² higher BMI (P =.003).

Study details: This observational study included 522 patients with MS from Johns Hopkins MS Center who were followed with retinal imaging for a median of 4.4 years.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the National MS Society, Race to Erase MS, and NIH/NINDS. The presenting author had no disclosures. One coauthor reported receiving support from the Race to Erase MS foundation.

Citation: Filippatou AG et al. Mult Scler. 2020 Apr 16. doi: 10.1177/1352458519900942.

Key clinical point: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with an accelerated rate of ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Major findings: Obese (n=146; BMI, ≥30 kg/m²) vs. normal weight (n=214; BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) patients showed accelerated rate of GCIPL atrophy (−0.57%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .012). Atrophy rates were not significantly different between overweight (n=153; BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m²) and normal weight patients (−0.47%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .41). GCIPL atrophy rate accelerated by −0.011% per year with each 1 kg/m² higher BMI (P =.003).

Study details: This observational study included 522 patients with MS from Johns Hopkins MS Center who were followed with retinal imaging for a median of 4.4 years.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the National MS Society, Race to Erase MS, and NIH/NINDS. The presenting author had no disclosures. One coauthor reported receiving support from the Race to Erase MS foundation.

Citation: Filippatou AG et al. Mult Scler. 2020 Apr 16. doi: 10.1177/1352458519900942.

Key clinical point: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with an accelerated rate of ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Major findings: Obese (n=146; BMI, ≥30 kg/m²) vs. normal weight (n=214; BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) patients showed accelerated rate of GCIPL atrophy (−0.57%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .012). Atrophy rates were not significantly different between overweight (n=153; BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m²) and normal weight patients (−0.47%/year vs. −0.42%/year; P = .41). GCIPL atrophy rate accelerated by −0.011% per year with each 1 kg/m² higher BMI (P =.003).

Study details: This observational study included 522 patients with MS from Johns Hopkins MS Center who were followed with retinal imaging for a median of 4.4 years.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the National MS Society, Race to Erase MS, and NIH/NINDS. The presenting author had no disclosures. One coauthor reported receiving support from the Race to Erase MS foundation.

Citation: Filippatou AG et al. Mult Scler. 2020 Apr 16. doi: 10.1177/1352458519900942.