The influence of Coexistent Autoimmune Diseases on The Clinical Course in A sample of Egyptian patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Accurate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) hinges on correct interpretation of a patient’s clinical history and radiologic studies. The coexistence of autoimmune diseases in MS patients had an impact on the clinical course of MS patients, which worsened the disease progression, disability, hand functions, cognition, and MRI lesion load and treatment choice. Monoclonal antibody DMT has a better outcome in the treatment of coexistent autoimmune diseases in MS patients than non-monoclonal antibody DMT on EDSS, 9HPT, SDMT, and MRI lesion load. Aim and objectives: To estimate the influence of the coexistence of autoimmune diseases on the clinical course of Multiple sclerosis and to identify its impact on disease progression, activity, and cognition. Patients and methods: 105 RRMS patients were included, 51 RRMS patients with ADs coexistence and 54 RRMS patients without ADs, all patients clinically (EDSS, 9HPT, SDMT) and radiologically (MRI T2 and gadolinium enhanced lesions) and DMTs were evaluated at first visit and after 6 months follow up was also evaluated. Results: The coexistent of autoimmune diseases in MS patients had worse the disease progression, disability, hand functions, cognition and MRI lesion load and treatment choice. Monoclonal antibody drugs have better outcome in treatment of coexistent autoimmune diseases with MS patients than other drugs on EDSS, 9HPT, SDMT and MRI lesion load. Conclusion: The coexistence of autoimmune diseases in MS patients had an impact on the clinical course of MS patients, which worsened the disease progression, disability, hand functions, cognition, and MRI lesion load and treatment choice.