NEUROLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS WITH THYROID PATHOLOGY
We examined 93 patients with relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). 70 % patients had different thyroid pathology. Patients with elevated antithyroid antibodies have a more severe course of MS and a higher level of antibodies to myelin components. Increasing antithyroid antibodies, particularly antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, may be a predictor of malignancy course of MS. The development of more severe visual, motor, sensory, cognitive impairments, and a higher score on a scale of disability EDSS was found in MS patients with thyroid hypofunction. Higher levels of neuron-specific enolase was diagnosed in this group. These data suggest a negative effect of hypothyroidism on remyelination processes and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, increased neurodegeneration in MS.