Study of diurnal hemodynamic parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis living in the northern region

The study objective is to examine diurnal hemodynamic parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) living in the Northern region. Materials and Methods. A total of 55 patients with definite MS were enrolled in a standard neurological examination. The BPLab ambulatory blood pressure monitor (Russia) was applied to analyse diurnal hemodynamic parameters. BPLab Software v. 2.1 was used for processing the data obtained. The comparison group consisted of 33 apparantly healthy volunteers. Results and Discussion. Normative average daily blood pressure (BP) readings were fixed in a group of patients with MS. Patients with MS had definite decrease in the following indices: daily average systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) throughout the day, blood pressure load (SBP and DBP) throughout the day, and SBP variability throughout the day as compared to the control group. There was only insufficient decrease of BP at night in patients with MS as compared to healthy trial subjects. Normal decrease of SBP at night was identified in 36,3 % of patients with MS, whereas decrease of DBP at night was fixed in 52,7 % of patients (dipper-type). It was probably related to the sympathetic nervous system predominance in this disorder. Conclusion. The estimated rigidity of blood pressure regulating mechanisms in people with MS may be associated with the autonomic nervous system impairment. It requires further study.