Anti-thyroid antibodies and cerebrospinal fluid findings in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Abstract

Objective: To determine the differences of thyroid diseases and ATAbs in multiple sclerosis (MS) and NMOSDs, and to assess the independent impact factors of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) in NMOSDs.

Results: Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies-positive (TPOAb(+)) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies-positive (TGAb(+)) were most frequent in NMOSDs. LETM and lesions ≥6 vertebral segments were more frequent in TPOAb(+) NMOSDs than in TPOAb-negative (TPOAb(-)) NMOSDs. TGAb(+) NMOSDs with LETM were significantly more frequent than TGAb-negative (TGAb(-)) NMOSDs. TPOAb(+) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) abnormalities were independently associated with LETM.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that ATAbs and thyroid diseases are significantly different in MS and NMOSD patients and CSs. TPOAb(+) and CSF abnormalities may be possible predictors of the severity of spinal cord lesions.

Keywords: Anti-peroxidase antibodies; Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies; Cerebrospinal fluid; Magnetic resonance imaging; Multiple sclerosis; Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.