Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39601436›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of neurology2025

Autoimmune screening panel in patients with multiple sclerosis: A Vienna multiple sclerosis database study.

Fabian Föttinger, Nik Krajnc, Katharina Riedl, Fritz Leutmezer, Markus Ponleitner, Paulus Rommer, Barbara Kornek, Stefan Macher, Christiane Schmied, Karin Zebenholzer and 4 more

Abstract read
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Article in European journal of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Fabian FöttingerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0009-0005-7970-5349
Nik KrajncDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Katharina RiedlDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Fritz LeutmezerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Markus PonleitnerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Paulus RommerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-5209-6647
Barbara KornekDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-1851-6967
Stefan MacherDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-8068-1528
Christiane SchmiedDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Karin ZebenholzerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Gudrun ZulehnerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Tobias ZrzavyDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-8909-1591
Thomas BergerDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Gabriel BstehDepartment of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-0825-0851

Funding

Austrian MS Research Society
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background and purposeAutoimmune screening panels (ASPs) are often ordered as a part of the diagnostic workup in people with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS). However, data on the significance of ASP seropositivity in MS are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether routine implementation of ASPs is viable in MS diagnostic workup.

methodsIn this retrospective study, we included patients from the Vienna Multiple Sclerosis Database who were diagnosed with MS according to current McDonald criteria between 2014 and 2021 and had an ASP performed.

resultsWe analyzed 212 patients (mean age at serology = 30.4 [SD = 8.5] years, 67% female). Red flag symptoms for presence of systemic autoimmune disease were reported by 5.6% of patients during initial evaluation (sicca syndrome [n = 5], joint pain [n = 4], dermatitis [n = 4]). Complement levels (C3c and C4) were below the lower reference level in 26 of 134 (19.4%) and three of 134 (2.2%), respectively. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were positive in 24 of 210 (11.4%), with 18 (8.6%), five (2.4%), and one (0.5%) having mildly, moderately, and strongly positive ANA titers. Extractable nuclear antibody subsets were positive in 10 of 211 (4.7%) patients. ASPs led to the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease (n = 1), psoriatic arthritis (n = 1), and Sjögren syndrome (n = 2; positive predictive value [PPV] = 4.9%, negative predictive value [NPV] = 99.3%). Among patients presenting with red flag symptoms, ASPs had better overall test performance (PPV = 100%, NPV = 88.9%).

conclusionsThe rate of ASP seropositivity in MS is low and within the range of the general population. Performance of ASPs without clinical suspicion of systemic autoimmune disease seems unwarranted.

Indexed as

Databases, FactualMultiple SclerosisAdultAntibodies, AntinuclearAustriaAutoantibodiesAutoimmune DiseasesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultAntibodies, AntinuclearAutoantibodiesautoimmune diseasesdiagnostic techniques and proceduresdifferential diagnosismultiple sclerosisserology

Identifiers

PMID39601436
PMCPMC11625921

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