The evoked potentials score improves the identification of benign MS without cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background and purpose: The presence of cognitive impairments (CI) among Benign MS (BMS) patients has challenged actual BMS criteria. We hypothesized that a low evoked potentials score (EP-score) at first neurological evaluation would help identify BMS patients without CI.

Methods: The EP-score was retrospectively computed in 29 putative BMS patients who were then tested for CI during 2012. The difference in the prevalence of CI between low EP-score patients and the recent literature was assessed using resampling methods.

Results: Among 23 low EP-score patients, only 3 (13%) had CI. This percentage was significantly reduced (P-values 0.05-0.005) compared to recent literature (39-46%).

Conclusion: We conclude that a low EP-score at first neurological evaluation successfully helps to identify BMS patients without CI.

Keywords: benign MS; cognition; evoked potentials; evoked potentials score; multiple sclerosis; resampling methods.