[Intrathecal synthesis of IgG evaluated using different formulas: importance of multivariate analysis in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Synthesis of IgG is useful data for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and different formulas, both direct and indirect, are used to quantify this. We analyze these formulas with the objective of finding whether certain combinations of them would give better results than the individual formulas on their own.


METHODS
We studied the cerebrospinal fluid of 45 patients with neurological disorders and determined the results of the two formulas which are most effective, according to some studies (Reiber's formula and IgG index) together with a direct formula (IgG ratio) and another indirect formula (the 'classical' formula of Tourtellotte).


RESULTS
The IgG index was, in general, the formula which best differentiated between patients with multiple sclerosis and persons with other neurological disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a tendency which supported the original hypothesis that it is possible to use combinations of formulas to obtain better results than individual formulas. This fact may serve as a basis for further studies in which different combinations are tested, including analytical and clinical data, and this may be of use in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Burcet
J
J
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Palma de Mallorca, España.
Zabay
J M
JM
Usón
M
M
Mulet
J
J
Figuerola
A
A
Viader
C
C
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G