Interaction between HLA-DR2 and abnormal brain MRI in optic neuritis and early MS

Abstract

The Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) gathered detailed clinical and MRI data from a large population of patients with acute unilateral optic neuritis (ON) who were then followed prospectively for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This dataset created an excellent opportunity to assess the relationship of various parameters, including human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 allele status, to the development of MS and to the presence of brain MRI signal abnormalities. The study was performed on 178 of the 457 patients enrolled in the ONTT. HLA haplotype DR2 was present in 85 (48%) of the 178 patients. Its presence was associated with increased odds of probable or definite MS at 5 years (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 3.67; p = 0.04). The association was most apparent among patients with signal abnormalities on baseline brain MRI.—Nancy J. Newman