Is it cost-effective to request IgM oligoclonal bands against lipids in daily practice as a biomarker for poor prognosis in multiple sclerosis?

Abstract

Background: various prognostic factors of multiple sclerosis have been identified, including demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory factors. The aim was to analyze whether the presence of IgM oligoclonal bands against lipids is associated with disease progression.

Methods: an individual-based, prospective, observational study was conducted at the Neurology Department of Hospital Universitari i Politècnic la Fe. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory variables were collected. Data analysis was divided into a descriptive phase and a subsequent analytical phase.

Results: a total of 116 patients were included. 81.9% of them had IgM oligoclonal bands against lipids, with phosphatidylcholine being the predominant type. A higher proportion of patients with IgM oligoclonal bands against lipids required treatment with a disease-modifying drug, started treatment at an earlier stage, showed poorer results in functional tests, and exhibited a higher increase in lesion burden, although these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: In our study, the presence of IgM oligoclonal bands against lipids was not found to be associated with other poor prognostic variables.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Demyelinating diseases; Multiple sclerosis; Myelin lipids; Neuroimmunology; Oligoclonal bands.