Opticospinal Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Course and Immunological Parameters

Abstract

<strong>Objectives</strong>: The clinical course of opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) is different from that of classical multiple sclerosis (MS) and exhibits a remarkable similarity with that of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). This study aimed to define the immunological parameters of OSMS to distinguish OSMS from classic MS and NMO and to highlight the pathology of OSMS and treatment choice. <br> <strong>Material and Method</strong>: In total, 20 patients with MS, 14 with OSMS, 18 with NMO, and 21 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum cytokine levels were measured using the multiple bead method, and the results were compared with those obtained using the post hoc analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. <br> <strong>Results</strong>: Interleukin (IL)-8 levels were significantly lower in the MS and OSMS groups than in the NMO and control groups (p&lt;0.0001). IL-6 levels were found to be significantly lower in the NMO and control groups than in the MS and OSMS groups (p=0.042). Tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) levels were significantly lower in the NMO and control groups than in the MS and OSMS groups (p&lt;0.0001). <br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: The findings of our study suggest that people with OSMS and NMO exhibit different levels of cytokines and that Aqp-4-negative OSMS, which is not a spinal longitudinal disease, is not a variant of NMO.