Multiple Sclerosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Multiple Sclerosis, including details on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, prognosis.

Clinically isolated syndromes: a new oligoclonal band test accurately predicts conversion to MS.

Masjuan J, Alvarez-Cermeño JC, García-Barragán N, Díaz-Sánchez M, Espiño M, Sádaba MC, González-Porqué P, Martínez San Millán J, Villar LM

Department of Neurology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. jmasjuan.hrc@salud.madrid.org

BACKGROUND: Patients with a clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome (CIS) are at risk of developing a second attack, thus converting into clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Therefore, an accurate prognostic marker for that conversion might allow early treatment. Brain MRI and oligoclonal IgG band (OCGB) detection are the most frequent paraclinical tests used in MS diagnosis. A new OCGB test has shown high sensitivity and specificity in differential diagnosis of MS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the new OCGB method and of current MRI criteria (MRI-C) to predict conversion of CIS to CDMS. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with CIS were studied with OCGB detection and brain MRI, and followed up for 6 years. The sensitivity and specificity of both methods to predict conversion to CDMS were analyzed. RESULTS: OCGB detection showed a sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 94.1%. MRI-C had a sensitivity of 74.23% and specificity of 88.2%. The presence of either OCGB or MRI-C studied simultaneously showed a sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 88.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of oligoclonal IgG bands is highly specific and sensitive for early prediction of conversion to multiple sclerosis. MRI criteria have a high specificity but less sensitivity. The simultaneous use of both tests shows high sensitivity and specificity in predicting clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis.

Published 28 February 2006 in Neurology, 66(4): 576-8.
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