Study has shown a new marker that can be used to predict the severity of multiple sclerosis in each individual patient. And the choice of treatment depends on this prognosis.
Multiple sclerosis is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by thinning of the myelin sheath of nerves. Over time, it leads to noticeable motor impairment and can put the patient in a wheelchair. But each person develops the disease according to an individual scenario, despite the existence of the three most common types of MS. For some, it progresses rapidly, and he needs more intensive and aggressive treatment, while for some, severe exacerbations have not been observed for many years. That is why it is extremely important to have tools that will allow predicting the individual course of multiple sclerosis in each patient. And one of these instruments was obtained by scientists from the University Hospital of Vienna.
Doctors have discovered the genetic nature of multiple sclerosis
They studied 167 MS patients followed for over three years. It turned out that the retina can be used as that very predictive tool. Thinning of the retinal layer as a result of MS relapse predicts the severity of future relapses. Loss of approximately 5 micrometers in retinal layer thickness after optic neuritis doubled the risk of permanent disability after the next relapse of MS.
Scientists have created a cure for multiple sclerosis
These predictions can be used as a basis for making decisions about the intensity of treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis. Significant thinning of the retinal layer requires much more aggressive treatment than lesser thinning. This is true even if the patient now has no severe disability, or it manifests itself only in a mild degree. (READ MORE) 
University Hospital Vienna
Medicine
Advanced General Hospital for University of Vienna