open access
Sex hormone patterns in women with multiple sclerosis as related to disease activity — a pilot study
- 1 Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
- 1 st Department of Radiology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
open access
Abstract
The influence of sex hormones on immune system activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested by clinical evidence. The aim of the study was to analyse the pattern of sex hormones in MS women and to correlate the hormone pattern abnormalities to the disease course as well as to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results.
Material and methodsWe studied the serum level of the progesterone, β-oestradiol and prolactin in 46 women with clinical definite MS aged from 19 to 65; mean disease duration was 11.80 ± 9.86 years. The evaluation of the intensity of hormonal changes was done using a scoring system (0–3). On the brain MRI, the presence of brain atrophy, of hypothalamic demyelination as well as demyelination intensity (or degree) were analysed. The evaluation of the degree of demyelination and brain atrophy was done using a scoring system (0–4).
ResultsThe main hormonal abnormalities consisted of decreased progesterone level, increased oestradiol level or both. The sex hormone pattern was abnormal in 56% of patients. Hypothalamic lesions were found on MRI in 53% of cases. The abnormal hormonal pattern correlated with intensity of MR changes (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test), but neither with presence of hypothalamic changes nor with disease parameters (Expanded Disability Status Scale, relapse rate, disease duration).
ConclusionsIt is important to check the hormonal pattern in MS women because according to our results it may be related to the disease activity and probably affects the type of therapeutic intervention. This pilot study will be extended in a larger population.
Abstract
The influence of sex hormones on immune system activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested by clinical evidence. The aim of the study was to analyse the pattern of sex hormones in MS women and to correlate the hormone pattern abnormalities to the disease course as well as to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results.
Material and methodsWe studied the serum level of the progesterone, β-oestradiol and prolactin in 46 women with clinical definite MS aged from 19 to 65; mean disease duration was 11.80 ± 9.86 years. The evaluation of the intensity of hormonal changes was done using a scoring system (0–3). On the brain MRI, the presence of brain atrophy, of hypothalamic demyelination as well as demyelination intensity (or degree) were analysed. The evaluation of the degree of demyelination and brain atrophy was done using a scoring system (0–4).
ResultsThe main hormonal abnormalities consisted of decreased progesterone level, increased oestradiol level or both. The sex hormone pattern was abnormal in 56% of patients. Hypothalamic lesions were found on MRI in 53% of cases. The abnormal hormonal pattern correlated with intensity of MR changes (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test), but neither with presence of hypothalamic changes nor with disease parameters (Expanded Disability Status Scale, relapse rate, disease duration).
ConclusionsIt is important to check the hormonal pattern in MS women because according to our results it may be related to the disease activity and probably affects the type of therapeutic intervention. This pilot study will be extended in a larger population.
Keywords
sex hormones, MRI, multiple sclerosis
Title
Sex hormone patterns in women with multiple sclerosis as related to disease activity — a pilot study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
536-542
Page views
311
Article views/downloads
656
DOI
10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60120-1
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(6):536-542.
Keywords
sex hormones
MRI
multiple sclerosis
Authors
Beata Zakrzewska-Pniewska
Marek Gołębiowski
Małgorzata Zajda
Wojciech Szeszkowski
Aleksandra Podlecka-Piętowska
Monika Nojszewska