Subclinical atherosclerosis in multiple sclerosis: a Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) study

Year:

2022

Applicant:

Marrie, Ruth Ann

Institution:

University of Manitoba

Email:

rmarrie@hsc.mb.ca

Project ID:

2203003

Approved Project Status:

Active

Project Summary

Arteries are blood vessels. They can become narrowed due to a build-up of fat and cholesterol. This is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart disease. Heart disease is more common in persons with multiple sclerosis than without multiple sclerosis. We do not know why heart disease is more common in people with multiple sclerosis. However, we know that more heart disease than expected occurs in people with rheumatoid arthritis too. Participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging undergo ultrasound of the big blood vessels in the neck. Those ultrasound measures can be used to look for atherosclerosis. We will compare ultrasound results between people with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and people with multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.