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Intrathecal oligoclonal bands synthesis in multiple sclerosis: is it always a prognostic factor?

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Abstract

Background

Oligoclonal IgM (OCMB) and IgG (OCGB) bands were found to be associated with poor multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of OCMB/OCGB in a cohort of Sardinian MS patients.

Materials and methods

We recruited patients from the University of Cagliari. They underwent lumbar puncture for diagnostic purposes. Demographic and the following clinical data were recorded: clinical course; time to reach EDSS 3 and 6; EDSS at last follow-up; and MS treatments. The influence of gender, clinical course, age at onset, treatments, and OCGB/OCMB on reaching EDSS 3 was analysed using Cox regression. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to study the time to reach EDSS 3 considering OCMB/OCGB and therapies.

Results

The enrolled number of subjects was 503. The variables influencing the achievement of EDSS 3.0 were: male gender (p = 0.005); progressive course (p = 0.001); age at onset (p < 0.001); and disease-modifying drugs (p < 0.001). The OCGB/OCMB status was not significant. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no difference in time to reach EDSS 3 for patients with and without OCGB or OCMB in both treated and non-treated groups.

Conclusion

Our study did not confirm the poor prognostic value of OCMB/OCGB. These results may be influenced by the peculiar genetic background associated with the risk of MS in Sardinians.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Via Is Guadazzonis 2, 09126, Cagliari, Italy

    Jessica Frau, Giancarlo Coghe, Lorena Lorefice, Giuseppe Fenu, Maria Giovanna Marrosu & Eleonora Cocco

  2. Immunology and Neurology Service, Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramón Y Cajal, Madrid, Spain

    Luisa Maria Villar

  3. Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Policlinico Monserrato, SS554, Monserrato, Italy

    Claudia Sardu

  4. Multiple Sclerosis Center of Cagliari, Via Is Guadazzonis 2, 09126, Cagliari, Italy

    Maria Antonietta Secci & Lucia Schirru

  5. Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neurosciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

    Diana Ferraro, Roberta Bedin & Patrizia Sola

Authors
  1. Jessica Frau
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  2. Luisa Maria Villar
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  3. Claudia Sardu
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  4. Maria Antonietta Secci
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  5. Lucia Schirru
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  6. Diana Ferraro
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  7. Giancarlo Coghe
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  8. Lorena Lorefice
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  9. Giuseppe Fenu
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  10. Roberta Bedin
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  12. Maria Giovanna Marrosu
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  13. Eleonora Cocco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Frau.

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The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Frau, J., Villar, L.M., Sardu, C. et al. Intrathecal oligoclonal bands synthesis in multiple sclerosis: is it always a prognostic factor?. J Neurol 265, 424–430 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8716-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8716-4

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