A Preliminary Study on the Meaning of Inflammatory Indexes in MS: A Neda-Based Approach

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory indexes and MS disease activity and progression.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Kocaeli University Neurology Clinic, involving 108 patients diagnosed with MS. Data related to patient demographics, clinical presentations, radiological findings, and laboratory results were recorded. Inflammatory markers such as NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio), MLR (monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio), and indexes such as SII (systemic immune inflammation index), SIRI (systemic immune response index), and AISI (systemic total aggregation index) were examined to determine their correlation with MS disease activity and disability. When assessing the influence of SII, AISI, and SIRI in predicting NEDA, it was found that all three indexes significantly predict NEDA. All indexes demonstrated a significant relationship with the EDSS score. Notably, SII, SIRI, and AISI were significant predictors of NEDA, and all inflammatory indexes showed a strong intercorrelation. This study investigates the role of inflammation markers in MS patients. It suggests that one or more of these non-invasive, straightforward, and practical markers could complement clinical and radiological parameters in monitoring MS.

Keywords: biomarkers; inflammation; multiple sclerosis.

Figure 1

Non-NEDA subgroup rates of the study population. Gd = gadolinium; NEDA = no evidence of disease activity; EDSS = expanded disability status scale.

Figure 2

The relationship between EDSS and inflammatory indexes (rho values: a 0.014, b 0.003, c 0.002, d 0.013, e 0.014, f 0.012).

Figure 3

The relationship between T25FWT and inflammatory indexes (rho values: a 0.049, b 0.007, c 0.002, d 0.047, e 0.043).