Prognostic utility of the IgM oligoclonal bands against myelin lipids in multiple sclerosis

IgM oligoclonal bands (OCMBs) against myelin-specific lipids have been identified as a marker for poor prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim is to examine the relation between lipid-specific OCMBs (LS-OCMBs) and the evolution of MS. An analytical, ambispective and individual-based study was conducted. We selected 116 patients, out of whom 95 had LS-OCMBs. The predominant lipid recognized was phosphatidylcholine. The positive gangliosides OCMB group reached better scores in the 9HPT, and the phosphatidylcholine, sphingolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine OCMB groups showed statistical differences in the magnetic resonance parameters. In conclusion: some LS-OCMBs showed statistically significant differences with functional or imaging tests.