Abstract
Background
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients lacking CSF oligoclonal bands are purported to have
a milder course of disease. We reviewed the natural history of oligoclonal band (OCB)
— negative (OCB−) compared to OCB positive (OCB+) patients.
Method
A retrospective study of 451 MS patients.
Results
Only 48/451 patients (10.6%) were CSF OCB−. The mean age at onset was 37.1±8.8 years with female:male ratio=2. First CNS location presentation was less well defined in OCB− vs. OCB+ patients
with significantly more supratentorial presentation. The clinical course of OCB− vs
OCB+ was somewhat different; 22.9 vs 15.1% PPMS; 18.8 vs 12.4% SPMS; and 56.3 vs 71%
RRMS, respectively. There were significantly fewer WBC, less IgG and a lower IgG index
in OCB− cases. Fewer OCB− cases fulfilled McDonald MRI criteria. There were no discernable
differences in disease severity between the two groups as determined by the EDSS,
progression index, MSSS, number of relapses or annualized relapse rate.
Conclusion
The presence of OCB correlates better with other indications of acute inflammatory
MS, especially an RR course. This study suggests that the simple lack of OCB positivity
does not necessarily insure a more benign disease course.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 02, 2009
Accepted:
December 23,
2008
Received in revised form:
December 22,
2008
Received:
September 24,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
