title: No association of apolipoprotein E epsilon4 genotype with faster progression or less recovery of relapses in a Spanish cohort of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent data have suggested a faster deterioration of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who harbour the epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. We investigate the relationship of APOE genotypes with disease severity and clinical recovery of relapses in a MS population of the north of Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-three patients with clinically defined MS were studied. Disease course (relapsing versus progressive), age of onset, duration of the disease and disability measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were recorded. Worsening was measured by the Progression Index (PI) and by EDSS 4 and 6 latencies. In 79 patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS the degree of clinical recovery of relapses (total versus partial) was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the APOE epsilon4 allele in our patients was similar to that found in other southern European populations. APOE epsilon4 patients did not have a faster progression as assessed by PI and EDSS 4 and 6 latencies. Among 79 patients with RRMS there were no significant differences in the degree of recovery of relapses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this MS population, APOE epsilon4 polymorphism is not associated with a more severe clinical course and does not appear to influence recovery of exacerbations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, General Yagüe Hospital, Burgos, Spain. sedanotous@telefonica.net
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sedano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calmarza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Trejo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E