Diagnostic Utility of Free Kappa Light Chain Index in Egyptian Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is usually associated with varying degrees of progressive disability. Free Kappa light chain (FKLC) has attracted growing attention as a significant diagnostic marker of MS. Aim of the Work The aim of this work was to study the diagnostic utility of free kappa light chain index in a sample of Egyptian MS patients versus IgG oligo clonal bands (OCBs) in CSF and serum in an attempt to throw light on a new simpler non subjective potential diagnostic marker in MS. Patients and Methods This was a case control study of MS patients carried at Ain Shams University Hospitals during the period from January 2021 till January 2022. Subjects included in this study were 30 patients with symptoms suggestive of MS yet undiagnosed and 20 controls, on the basis of their MRI findings, clinical presentation and according to the revised McDonald criteria 2017. Accordingly, patients were diagnosed as MS including 4 CIS patients, 18 RRMS patients and 3 PPMS patients and non-MS including 2 NMO patients, 1 ADEM patient, 1 APS and 1 SLE patient. They were 8 males and 22 female patients, their age ranged from 20 to 40 years old with mean 30.13 ± 6.85 SD. The control group included 5 males and 15 females; their ages ranged from 20 to 40 years with mean 30.13 ± 6.85 SD. Results We found a statistically significantly higher FKLC index and FKLC IF among MS patients in comparison to both control and non-MS group. it could be used for diagnosis of MS with a diagnostic sensitivity of 100 % and a diagnostic specificity of 100 %. Conclusion The significant association between FKLC index and MS led us to conclude FKLC index can be used as a promising diagnostic marker of MS.