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.