مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Association of Systemic Autoantibody Positivity with the Presence of Oligoclonal Bands and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract :

Objective: We aimed to determine the frequency of common systemic autoantibodies in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and their association with the presence of oligoclonal bands (OCB) and disease severity. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 definite RRMS patients and 150 healthy controls with no autoimmune disease were enrolled and then-sera were examined for the presence of autoantibodies. Results: The positivity rates for antithyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) (20%), anti-cardiolipin (ACA) IgG (22%) and ACA IgM (24%) antibodies were significantly higher than those of the healthy individuals (p 0.001). Age, gender, OCB positivity rates and average expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were comparable among RRMS patients with and without autoantibodies. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that serum autoantibodies are not significantly associated with disease severity or OCB formation and they are merely indicators of an increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease induction in MS patients.