Abstract

Isolated optic neuritis in adults (ON) is the most common initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Conversion to MS after childhood ON is not well determined. We aimed to identify risk factors predicting MS following ON and to develop risk profiles with adjusted clinical follow-up based on current diagnostic tools. Medical records of 42 cases with isolated ON between 1970 and 2005 were analysed. In 2006 and 2007 all patients received a clinical follow-up investigation including ophthalmological and neurological examination, visual evoked potentials (VEPs), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Investigation was performed to a mean follow-up of 18 years (3-38 years). 14% of all patients showed MS-like lesions in cMRI. Additional neurologic symptoms or abnormal cMRI at initial presentation indicating dissemination in space significantly altered the risk of MS (OR 16.0, 95% CI [1.5; 176.5], p = 0.020), (OR 4.6, 95% CI [0.7; 31.0], respectively). Severe visual loss and funduscopic affection reduced the likelihood for progression to MS (OR 0.2, 95% CI [0.0; 1.5]). Children presenting with isolated ON, neurological impairment at onset or especially coordinative dysfunction at follow-up and demyelinating lesions in cMRI at disease onset were at high risk for the development of MS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Childhood optic neuritis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Risk factors of multiple sclerosis; Corticosteroid treatment; Funduscopic pathology