Sodium Intake Is Associated With Increased Disease Activity In Multiple Sclerosis (P6.150)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between salt consumption and clinical and radiological disease activity in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Sodium has been recently reported to promote the differentiation of pathogenic T cells and worsen disease in an experimental model of MS. However, the relevance of these observations for MS and other human immune-mediated disorders is unknown. Here, we investigated the relationship between salt consumption and MS disease clinical and radiological activity. DESIGN/METHODS: Sodium intake was calculated in urine samples from a cohort of 70 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients followed for two years. During the follow-up, clinical and radiological assessment was performed every 3-6 months or in the occurrence of a relapse. The effect of sodium intake in MS disease activity was estimated by regression analysis. We then replicated our findings in a separate group of 52 MS patients. RESULTS: We found a positive correlation between exacerbation rates and sodium intake in a multivariate model adjusted for age, gender, disease duration, smoking status, vitamin D levels, BMI and treatment. We found an exacerbation rate that was 2.75- (95% CI 1.3-5.8) or 3.95-fold (95% CI 1.4-11.2) higher in patients with medium or high sodium intakes compared with the low-intake group. Additionally, individuals with high sodium intake had a 3.4-fold greater chance of developing a new lesion on the MRI and on average had eight more T2 lesions on MRI. A similar relationship was found in the independent replication group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a higher sodium intake is associated with increased clinical and radiological disease activity in MS patients. Study Supported by: FLENI and Novartis Argentina

Disclosure: Dr. Farez has received personal compensation for activities with Merck Serono. Dr. Farez has received research support from Novartis. Dr. Fiol has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp., and Merck Serono. Dr. Gaitan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Quintana has received personal compensation for activities with EMD Serono and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Quintana has received research support from EMD Serono. Dr. Correale has received personal compensation for activities with Merck & Co., Inc., Biogen Idec, and Genzyme Corp. Dr. Correale has received research support from Novartis.