Optical coherence tomography and visual evoked potentials: which is more sensitive in multiple sclerosis?. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Maggio, Giovanni; Santangelo, Roberto; Guerrieri, Simone; Bianco, Mariangela; Ferrari, Laura; Medaglini, Stefania; Rodegher, Mariaemma; Colombo, Bruno; Moiola, Lucia; Chieffo, Raffaella; Del Carro, Ubaldo; Martinelli, Vittorio; Comi, Giancarlo; Leocani, Letizia
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 20:Number 10(2014)
• Page Start: 1342
• Page End: 1347
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- optic neuritis -- visual evoked potentials -- optic coherence tomography -- spectral domain -- disability; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514524293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Objective: To assess the sensitivity of optic coherence tomography (OCT) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to visual pathway abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A total of 40 MS subjects, 28 with optic neuritis (ON) at least 3 months before (bilateral in 5), underwent assessment of visual acuity, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), OCT and VEPs, the latter quantified with a 0–4 conventional score. Results: OCT and VEPs were abnormal in 36% and 56% respectively in all eyes ( p =0.11), 68% and 86% in eyes with previous ON ( p =0.12), and in 19% versus 40% in eyes without ON history ( p =0.007). Combining VEP and OCT increased sensitivity to 89% in ON and 44% in non-ON eyes. Considering all eyes, global retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and VEP score were significantly correlated between them (ρ=−0.63, p <0.001) and with EDSS (RNFL: ρ=0.40, p <0.001; VEP score: ρ=0.47, p <0.001). Disease duration correlated with VEP score (ρ=0.25, p =0.025) and RNFL thickness (ρ=−0.71, p <0.001). Conclusions: In eyes without ON, VEPs were more frequently abnormal than OCT, while the two techniques showed similar sensitivity in eyes previously affected by ON. The correlation of VEPs and OCT measures with disability prompts further exploration of the two techniques as potential markers of disease burden.