The impact of modifiable risk factors on lesion burden in patients with early multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Some studies have indicated the importance of considering smoking, vitamin D deficiency and obesity as negative prognostic factors for clinical and MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of these modifiable risk factors on brain MRI lesion burden of patients with early MS, also exploring the influence on initial clinical features.

Methods: MS patients were enrolled at diagnosis time and examined for smoking, body mass index (BMI), serum level of lipids and 25(OH) vitamin D.