Whether somatosensory evoked potentials can be a prognostic indicator in patients with immunomodulating therapies of multiple sclerosis?
Background: Based on clinical studies published to date, it is assumed that immunomodulation therapy (DMT) is effective in the treatment of relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was an analysis of predictive value of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in patients treated for two years with interferon (INF β-1a, IFN β-1b) and glatiramer acetate (GA). Material and methods: The study included 106 patients (35 men, 71 women, aged 18-54 years) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, undergoing an at-least 2-years’ DMT treatment (IFN β-1a, IFN β-1b, GA). Results: Before treatment, normal SEP response was noticed in 37 patients (35%) and abnormal values – in 69 patients (65%). In the study group, 32 patients (30.1%) had a relapse during follow-up. In this group 6 patients had baseline normal SEP value, and others had abnormal SEP value. At the end of DMT, in normal baseline SEP group, the disease progression (defined as progression at least 1 point in EDSS scale) was seen in 8 patients, while in abnormal SEP group – in 18 patients. Conclusions: In patients with baseline abnormal SEP, relapses during DMT therapy were more frequent than in those with normal SEP.