A narrative review of transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis: Associations and threats

Masoud Heydari; Hossein Pourmontaseri; Fatemeh Azizi; Ahad Hasan Syed Hasani; Fatemeh Noori; Maryam Rahmannia

A narrative review of transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis: Associations and threats

Masoud Heydari, Hossein Pourmontaseri, Fatemeh Azizi, Ahad Hasan Syed Hasani, Fatemeh Noori, Maryam Rahmannia

Abstract

The affiliation of multiple sclerosis (MS) with other immune system and inflammatory illnesses like transverse myelitis (TM) has been a theme of interest. Even though, previous investigations tried to elucidate the relationship between these two illnesses, it remained unclear because of restricted and incompatible information in this subject. In this review, we researched the etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatments of MS and TM according to accessible articles in valid databases. We figured out multiple sclerosis (MS) can be associated with transverse myelitis (TM) in a number of aspects and longitudinal expanse of brain and spinal cord lesions found by MRI, presence of DRB1*1501 allele, and etc. However, further research is fundamental to perceive the remarkable relationship between multiple sclerosis and transverse myelitis in field of neurodegenerative diseases. An appraisal of research studies published in various bibliographic databases including PubMed, Medscape, and Google scholar were used. A total of 57 articles were sought and reviewed. Results were classified into 6 specific subtitles including prevalence and incidence rates, complications, common cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) agents and factors, prognosis and diagnosis, treatment, and finally risk factors. Research articles were reviewed and analyzed for information regarding each subject. In this study, we aimed to review articles that detected links between TM and MS and those that described different aspects of these correlations. It was observed that in various aspects MS and TM had strong as well as weak correlations. On the other hand, we discussed that the lack of common appropriate treatment caused the inability to restrict symptoms on patients in either disease. Further trials on candidate therapies may result in new reliable treatments with acceptable adverse effects.

Keywords

Transverse Myelitis; Multiple Sclerosis; Neurodegenerative; Risk Factor; Association

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