Multiple sclerosis and primary vascular dysregulation (Flammer syndrome).
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS of still unknown aetiology. Flammer syndrome (FS) encompasses a set of symptoms and signs that are primarily but not solely related to the dysregulation of blood vessels. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether FS symptoms occur more often in MS patients than in controls.


METHODS
Fifty-eight MS patients and 259 controls answered a questionnaire covering 15 symptoms and signs of FS.


RESULTS
Six of the 15 symptoms and signs of FS (dizziness, low body mass index, cold hands and/or feet, tendency toward perfectionism, reduced thirst, feeling cold) were found significantly more often in MS patients than in controls. Seven additional symptoms and signs (tinnitus, headaches, increased pain sensation, long sleep-onset time, migraines, increased response to certain drugs, low blood pressure) also occurred more often in MS patients, but the difference in frequency was not statistically significant. One sign (reversible skin blotches) was found less often in MS patients, but the difference in frequency was not statistically significant. One symptom (increased smell perception) was found significantly less often in MS patients.


CONCLUSIONS
MS patients suffer significantly more often from FS symptoms and signs than controls. The reason for this association between MS and FS and the potential implications of this association still need to be determined.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Katarzyna
K
Konieczka
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Simone
S
Koch
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Tatjana
T
Binggeli
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Andreas
A
Schoetzau
Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Rehabilitation Centre Valens, Valens, Switzerland.
Juerg
J
Kesselring
Flammer syndrome (FS); Multiple sclerosis (MS); Personalized medicine; Predictive diagnostics; Primary vascular dysregulation (PVD); Questionnaire; Targeted prevention