Systemic inflammation and risk of multiple sclerosis - A presymptomatic case-control study.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation. Increased levels of CRP in young persons have been suggested to decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES: To assess CRP as a risk factor for MS.

METHODS: Levels of CRP were measured with a high-sensitive immunoassay in biobank samples from 837 individuals who later developed MS and 984 matched controls. The risk of developing MS was analysed by conditional logistic regression on z -scored CRP values.

RESULTS: Levels of CRP were not associated with MS risk.

CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between CRP levels and risk of MS development.