This series of meta-analyses quantified overall and compartment-specific differences in body composition between people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and controls and identified individual and disease-specific moderators of differences. 180 effects derived from 37 studies showed poorer overall body composition (Δ=-0.39 [-0.46, -0.32]), body fat (Δ=-0.32 [-0.43, -0.21]), lean mass (Δ=-0.38 [-0.56, -0.21]), and bone mineral density (Δ=-0.44 [-0.55, -0.34]) among people with MS. Differences were significantly larger at higher disability levels. Findings underscore the importance of strategies (e.g., exercise and diet) for managing body composition in MS, particularly the need for maintaining lean mass and bone health.
Pilutti LA, Silveira SL, Herring MP, Jeng B, Edwards T, Cederberg KLJ, Fournier K, Motl RW (2025). Multiple sclerosis is associated with worse body composition across compartments: Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 101:106553. (IF: 2.9; C=; Q2 Clinical Neurology; R=102/280; Decile 4)
Prof Matthew Herring, PhD, FACSM.
Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Health Research Institute.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, UL.
Contact: Email matthew.herring@ul.ie @mph8 Research profiles: Google Scholar ResearcherID ORCID SCOPUS
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