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Analysis of multiple sclerosis patients with electrophysiological and structural tests

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Abstract

We aimed to analyze the effects of progressive myelin loss and neurodegeneration seen in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on visual tract with electrophysiological and structural tests. Fifty-one patients diagnosed with MS in the Neurology Department were followed up in neuro-ophthalmology outpatient clinic irrespective of their visual symptoms, and were included in our study. The patients were classified as the ones with the history of optic neuritis (group II) and ones without the history (group I) of optic neuritis. The data, including clinical presentation, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements, pattern visual evoked potential (pVEP) and flash electro retino grams (ERG) test results, were recorded. In our study, comparison of pVEP test latencies of groups I and II with each other, and with those of healthy subjects revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The analysis of rod functions on ERG did not show any significant changes (p > 0.05). However, both groups showed significantly decreased cone b-wave amplitudes, elongation of latencies, and decreased flicker amplitudes on cone and flicker potentials obtained after light adaptation (p < 0.05). There was significant thinning in RNFLT of the both groups when compared to the normal standards. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Axon loss is seen in the optic nerve with subclinical or acute optic neuritis in patients with MS. RNFLT analysis and electrophysiological tests are of great importance in diagnosis of MS, as well as to determine progression and to direct neuroprotective therapy in patients diagnosed with MS. Objective analysis methods gain more importance in the diagnosis and follow-up of MS patients, parallel to technological advancements.

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None of the authors have financial or proprietary interests in any material or methods mentioned.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Mualla Hamurcu, Murat Sinan Sarıcaoğlu & Zeynep Duru

  2. Department of Neurology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Gürdal Orhan & Semra Mungan

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  1. Mualla Hamurcu
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  2. Gürdal Orhan
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  3. Murat Sinan Sarıcaoğlu
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  4. Semra Mungan
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  5. Zeynep Duru
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Correspondence to Mualla Hamurcu.

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Hamurcu, M., Orhan, G., Sarıcaoğlu, M.S. et al. Analysis of multiple sclerosis patients with electrophysiological and structural tests. Int Ophthalmol 37, 649–653 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-016-0324-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-016-0324-2

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