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 beta-1a, IFN beta-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 beta-1a, IFN beta-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.