title: Analysis of macular and nerve fiber layer thickness in multiple sclerosis patients according to severity level and optic neuritis episodes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quantitative assessment of macular and nerve fibre layer thickness in multiple sclerosis patients with regard to expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and presence or absence of previous optic neuritis episodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 62 patients with multiple sclerosis (53 relapsing-remitting and 9 secondary progressive) and 12 disease-free controls. All patients underwent an ophthalmological examination, including quantitative analysis of the nerve fibre layer and macular thickness using optical coherence tomography. Patients were classified according to EDSS as A (lower than 1.5), B (between 1.5 and 3.5), and C (above 3.5).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean nerve fibre layer thickness in control, A, B, and C groups was 103.35±12.62, 99.04±14.35, 93.59±15.41, and 87.36±18.75μm respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<.05). In patients with no history of optic neuritis, history of episodes in the last 3 to 6 months, or history longer than 6 months, mean nerve fibre layer thickness was 99.25±13.71, 93.92±13.30 and 80.07±15.91μm respectively; differences were significant (P<.05). Mean macular thickness in control, A, B, and C groups was 220.01±12.07, 217.78±20.02, 217.68±20.77, and 219.04±24.26μm respectively. Differences were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mean retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in multiple sclerosis patients is related to the EDSS level. Patients with previous optic neuritis episodes have a thinner retinal nerve fibre layer than patients with no history of these episodes. Mean macular thickness is not correlated to EDSS level.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soler García
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Padilla Parrado
authors.affiliation: Área de Oftalmo-Biología, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Figueroa-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González Gómez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital General de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Ben
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Complejo Asistencial de Burgos, Hospital General Yagüe, Burgos, España.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García-Ben
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, España; Área de Oftalmo-Biología, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España. Electronic address: jmgarcia@uma.es.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Campos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005123:Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
keywords: Capa de fibras nerviosas; Escala expandida del estado de discapacidad; Esclerosis múltiple; Expanded disability status scale; Grosor macular; Macular thickness; Multiple sclerosis; Nerve fibre layer; Neuritis óptica; Optic neuritis