Serum Anti-M ü llerian Hormone Levels in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered as an inflammatory demyelinating disease with a 3-fold risk in females of childbearing age that imposes deleterious pregnancy-related concerns for patients. We aimed to clarify the correlation of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level with clinical and gynecological characteristics of relapsingremitting MS (RRMS) patients. Methods: Fifty consecutive RRMS female patients and 50 age-matched healthy controls from among the hospital staff were enrolled in the study. The serum AMH levels of all subjects were evaluated by ELISA. T-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used for the quantitative variables. Pearson’s chi-squared test and Isher’s exact test were used for qualifying variables. Regression analysis was performed for AMH values. Results: The mean ± SD AMH level for the case group was 3.12 ± 3.6 and in for the control group was 3.65 ± 2.06. Regression analysis detected a significant difference in AMH values between the case and control groups (p=0.034). There was no significant influence for disease activity and therapy on AMH level in the patients. Age was the only demographic factor that predicted the AMH values in both groups (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that the advanced age is a potential predictor of serum AMH levels in both MS patients and the healthy individuals. Importantly, serum AMH values were significantly lower in MS patients; however, this finding does not necessarily have an effect on fertility.