An evaluation of laboratory investigations in patients with multiple sclerosis

The contribution of VEP, CT and oligoclonal bands (OB) to the diagnosis of MS was studied in a group of 213 hospitalized patients. Whereas the diagnostic values of VEP and OB were both in the same range, the combination of both methods increased the proportion of cases with "definite MS" from 58 to 75%, whereas CT did not contribute significantly to diagnostic ascertainment. Vitamin B12 absorption was less than 10% in 27% of cases. A slight tendency towards increased serum IgG and IgM levels was found, and the rheumatoid factor was demonstrated in 6% of cases.