Clinical Study

Body Mass Index in Multiple Sclerosis: Associations with CSF Neurotransmitter Metabolite Levels

Table 3

Levels (ng/mL) of noradrenaline (MHPG), serotonin (5-HIAA), and dopamine (HVA) metabolites in CSF of drug-free multiple sclerosis patients, grouped in quartiles according to their body mass index. Quartile limits were defined from BMI of control subjects of the present study, separate for males and for females. Statistical evaluation by analysis of variance with age as covariate.

BMI quartile BMIAgeMHPG5-HIAAHVA

Male patients
 Lower 23
 Middle (2nd + 3rd)46
 Upper 14
(2, 79)0.670.760.54
.52.47.58
Female patients
 Lower 77
 Middle (2nd + 3rd)79
 Upper 21
(2, 173)0.855.059.50
.43.007.0001
 Lower versus upper, .21.003.0001