Association of copeptin and cortisol in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients

•We examined copeptin and cortisol levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.•Plasma copeptin and cortisol were higher in overweight/obese MS subjects.•Alterations of copeptin and cortisol in MS may be related to adiposity.•Significant positive correlations were found between copeptin and cortisol in MS.•A rise in cortisol in MS may be associated with copeptin secretion.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Obesity may increase the risk of developing MS. The aim of this study was to evaluate copeptin and cortisol plasma levels in newly diagnosed untreated MS patients and to determine whether copeptin and cortisol are related to the patients' clinical statuses. We report that copeptin and cortisol were higher in overweight/obese MS patients. Positive correlations were observed between the two parameters. We conclude that alterations of copeptin and cortisol levels in multiple sclerosis patients may be related to adiposity. An increase in cortisol may also be associated with copeptin secretion.