Can electrophysiological studies predict multiple sclerosis prognosis?

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease with an unpredictable course. MS lesions can affect the evoked potentials of electrophysiological studies. In this study we aimed to predict the prognosis of MS patients with electrophysiological parameters.Methods: MS patients with Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) and Somatosensorial Evoked Potentials (SEP) were included in the study during two years period. Demographic characteristics, MS type, attack numbers, current Expanded Disability Status Scales (EDSS), electrophysiological evoked potentials (EP), blood tests, first cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the patients were evaluated.Results: Two hundred and fifty-nine MS patients were evaluated. There was a statistically significant difference between EDSS scores and the pathologies detected in both electrophysiological examinations (p:0.000). The number of MS attacks were only associated with tibial SEP pathologies (p:0.045). IgG index of CSF had no significant effect on VEP (p:0.065) but had a statistically significant effect on posterior tibial SEP. Posterior tibial SEP was statistically significant in two-sided abnormalities in MS patients with an elevated IgG index (p:0.039). MS patients who met the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) consensus criteria had two-sided abnormalities that were statistically significant on both VEP and tibial SEP examinations (p:0.003 and 0.000 respectively). Patients who had pathology in electrophysiological examinations at the beginning have statistically significantly more frequent demyelinating lesions in spinal and infratentorial according to current MRI.Conclusion: Evoked potentials can predict clinical deterioration in MS patients.Neurophysiological abnormalities can be considered in MS disease as prognostic factor.