Prevalence and clinical implications of abnormal autoantibodies in Omani patients with multiple sclerosis: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-organ-specific autoantibodies-including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), and antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA)-are reported in some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ANA, ENA, and APLA among Omani people with MS (PwMS).

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed records of 215 Omani PwMS between 2017 and 2022. Demographics, clinical features, and ANA, ENA, and APLA profiles were analyzed.

RESULTS

Women comprised 66.5 % of the total patients, and most patients had relapsing-remitting MS (82.3 %). ANA positivity was 34.4 % and was significantly associated with MS duration (p = 0.021). ENA positivity was present in 31.7 % patients, mainly anti-SSA (63.2 %). APLA was detected in 17 % and was associated with female sex, brainstem or cerebral presentations, and cardiovascular comorbidity. None of the autoantibodies showed meaningful associations with MS subtype, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, or relapse rate.

CONCLUSION

ANA and ENA are relatively common in Omani PwMS, whereas APLA is less frequent. However, autoantibody positivity showed limited clinical relevance, indicating the need for cautious interpretation and additional regional research to clarify the diagnostic implications of autoantibodies in MS.