Background/Aim: Multiple sclerosis is a disease whose aetiology involves multifactorial interactions among genetic and environmental factors. Obesity is one of the most important environmental factors conducive to the onset and progression of the disease. The aim of the study was to determine the value of body mass index (BMI) in a population of patients with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population, in order to assess the relation between the BMI and physical disability in patients with multiple sclerosis and the influence of the BMI on the course and progression of the disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 100 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (experimental group) and 50 healthy people (control group). In order to determine the degree of physical disability, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used. Clinical and demographic data and values of the BMI in both studied groups were collected. Statistical analysis included the descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, analysis of variance, correlation and regression analysis. Results: Mean body weight and BMI were significantly higher in the control group (p< 0.05). There was no significant correlation between EDSS and BMI (p = 0.574). There was a correlation between the course of MS and the fact whether BMI was abnormal or normal (p = 0.031). Conclusion: BMI is an environmental factor that significantly correlates with the progression and prediction of multiple sclerosis, but not to the degree of physical disability.

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&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Aim &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Given the impact of vascular comorbidities (VC) on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of multiple sclerosis (MS), we&lt;br /&gt;examined the incidence and correlation of VC and risk factors for vascular disease in people with MS (PwMS) compared to the general population, and the impact on the physical disability of patients.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Cross-sectional study involved 100 patients with MS and 50 healthy people from the general population, matched by&lt;br /&gt;sex and age. The values of demographic, biochemical, and anthropometric parameters, the presence of VC and risk factors for vascular diseases in both groups, and clinical parameters in PwMS were analysed. Statistical analysis included methods of descriptive statistics, &amp;chi;2 test, Student&#039;s t-test, analysis of variance, correlation&lt;br /&gt;and regression analysis.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Groups differed by a higher frequency of transient ischemic attack in the control group (p=0.024), and the treatment of&lt;br /&gt;hypertension (p=0.038) and smoking frequency (p=0.044) in the MS group. Normal triglycerides levels were statistically significantly more prevalent in the MS group (p=0.000). Total body weight and BMI were statistically significantly higher in the control group (p=0.000). The increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was associated with higher levels of total (p=0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p=0.003), and activated partial thromboplastin time APTT (p=0.002).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;In PwMS it is necessary to pay attention to the higher frequency of smoking than in general population, and the impact&lt;br /&gt;of total cholesterol, LDL and APTT levels as significant parameters that affect physical disability.&lt;/p&gt;

Introduction/Aim: Detection of intrathecal oligoclonal bands of immunoglobulin G (OB IgG), in addition to diagnostic, has a predictive significance in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic significance of OB IgG and to correlate the presence of OB IgG with the progression of disability in MS patients. Methods: A retrospective-prospective cohort study included 177 MS patients examined at the Centre for MS, Clinic of Neurology, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska. In all patients, demographic data, clinical parameters, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, isoelectric focusing (IEF) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cyto-biochemical analysis of CSF, evoked potentials (EP) and magnetic resonance (MR) of the head were analysed. MS patients were divided in two groups: with and without intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG. According to the EDSS determined in both groups, the relation between the degree of functional disability and the presence of OB in the CSF and also with characteristics of the cyto-biochemical profile were analysed. Methods of descriptive and analytical statistics, analysis of variance, chi-square test, Bonferroni's post hoc test, correlation and regression analysis were used in the analysis of the results. Results: In the examined cohort of MS patients, the sensitivity of IEF was 96.6 %. There was a statistically significant association between the detectability of intrathecally synthesised IgG and EDSS score (p = 0.004) so that individuals who do not have intrathecally synthesised IgG had lower EDSS scores. MS patients with a CSF protein concentration > 0.40 g/L were 2.45 times more likely to enter secondary progression and 2.51 times more likely to achieve EDSS 4.0. Conclusion: IEF is a very sensitive diagnostic and prognostic method for MS patients, which indicates a more benign course of MS in patients without oligoclonal bands in the CSF.