The effect of galanin gene polymorphism rs948854 on the severity of multiple sclerosis: A significant association with the age of onset

Abstract

Background: Data on genetic markers that determine the prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still limited. The association between galanin gene polymorphism rs948854 and prognosis of MS had been demonstrated earlier. Objectives: To confirm earlier findings in a distinct from the previously studied cohort of patients, and to further characterized the rs948854 polymorphism as one of the candidates for the risk stratification in patients with MS. Methods: To assess the rate of disease progression, the MS severity score (MSSS) and Age Related Multiple Sclerosis Severity (ARMSS) score were used, along with the Progression Index (PI). Results: The significant association of a minor allele of rs948854 polymorphism with the severity of the course of multiple sclerosis was revealed, confirming earlier findings. An increase in the proportion of patients with a MSSS > 5 (high rate of progression) was observed among the minor G allele carriers (genotypes AG and GG) compared to patients with AA genotype. Furthermore, the age at onset correlated with the MSSS value only in the group of minor allele carriers and the effect of a minor allele appeared only in patients with the late age at onset (>30 years). Conclusion: Collectively, our data support the contribution of galanin gene polymorphism rs948854 to the mechanisms of adverse course of the disease in the late onset MS.