Does multiple sclerosis affect glucose tolerance?

Abstract

Based on current literature, it is not clear if multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are at increased risk to develop impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Eighty-one MS patients and 45 healthy controls (HC) performed an oral glucose tolerance test. IGT was defined as a fasting glucose concentration of 6.1–6.9 mmol/l and two-hour post-load glucose of 7.8–11.1 mmol/l. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose concentrations (17% vs 2%) and IGT (11% vs 0%) was higher in MS patients than HC. Accordingly, the areas under the glucose and insulin curves were higher in MS patients. The current study demonstrates an elevated IGT-prevalence in MS.