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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
MRI but not demographic or clinical characteristics differ between familial and sporadic MS cases
Nahid Beladi Moghadam1, Mehran Ghaffari1, Saba Sadeghi Rashed2
1Department of Neurology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating disease. The prevalence and incidence of MS in Iran is high and is rising over time. This study was conducted to compare the demographic, clinical features and MRI findings of MS patients with history of the disease in the first-degree family members (fMS) with sporadic MS patients (sMS) to determine the importance of genetic or non-genetic factors in the development of the disease and its effect in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
Methods:
Among the 185 patients admitted to the study, 62 were fMS patients and 123 were sMS patients. All patients underwent clinical examination and data was gathered on age, sex, age of onset, symptoms, number of attacks, disease course, family history, disease-modifying drugs, and other accompanying diseases as well as MRI findings and EDSS scores.
Results:
In this study, we demonstrated that the frequency of plaques in the periventricular area was significantly higher in sMS patients (97.56% vs 88.71%, p = 0.01) while the callosal plaques were more common in fMS patients (62.9% vs 47.97%, p = 0.05) which was statistically borderline and nonsignificant. In other evaluated parameters, no significant difference was observed.
Conclusion:
In our study, no significant difference was observed between the demographic and clinical characteristics of fMS and sMS patients, while there was a significant difference between the two groups in MRI findings.
Insights
This study compared multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without a family history. While clinical features were similar, MRI findings showed differences in plaque location, suggesting a role for genetic factors in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated demyelinating disease with increasing prevalence in Iran.
- Understanding the influence of genetic versus non-genetic factors is crucial for MS diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare demographic, clinical, and MRI findings between MS patients with a family history (fMS) and sporadic MS patients (sMS).
- To investigate the role of genetic and non-genetic factors in MS development and its clinical manifestations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 185 MS patients (62 fMS, 123 sMS).
- Data collection included clinical examination, demographic information, disease course, medication, comorbidities, MRI findings, and EDSS scores.
Main Results:
- Periventricular plaques were more frequent in sporadic MS patients (97.56% vs 88.71%, p=0.01).
- Callosal plaques were more common in familial MS patients (62.9% vs 47.97%, p=0.05), a borderline significant finding.
- No significant differences were found in demographic and clinical characteristics between fMS and sMS groups.
Conclusions:
- Demographic and clinical features of familial MS and sporadic MS patients are comparable.
- Significant differences in MRI findings between familial MS and sporadic MS patients highlight potential genetic influences on disease presentation.
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