Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives from a Meta-Analysis (PP-23)

Document Type : Poster Presentation

Authors
Mohammad Yazdan Panah
Saeed Vaheb
Aysa Shaygannejad
Vahid Shaygannejad
Omid Mirmosayyeb
.
Abstract
There is debate on the role of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as a reliable biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and its potential to reflect disease progression. This review aimed to investigate the role of GFAP in MS and NMOSD.
Methods
A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, was conducted up to 20 December 2023 to identify studies that measured GFAP levels in patients with MS (PwMS) and patients with NMOSD (PwNMOSD). R software version 4.3.3. with the random-effect model was used to pool the effect size with its 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results
Of 4109 studies, 49 studies met our inclusion criteria encompassing 3491 PwMS, 849 PwNMOSD, and 1046 healthy controls (HCs). The analyses indicated that the cerebrospinal fluid level of GFAP (cGFAP) and serum level of GFAP (sGFAP) were significantly higher in PwMS than HCs (SMD = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.86, p < 0.001, I2 = 29%, and SMD = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.99, p = 0.02, I2 = 90%, respectively). The sGFAP was significantly higher in PwNMOSD than in HCs (SMD = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.07, p < 0.001, I2 = 10%). Among PwMS, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) exhibited significant correlations with cGFAP (r = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.59, p < 0.001, I2 = 91%) and sGFAP (r = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.49, p < 0.001, I2 = 78%).
Conclusion
Regarding that GFAP is increased in MS and NMOSD and has correlations with disease features, it can be a potential biomarker in MS and NMOSD and indicate the disease progression and disability in these disorders.

Keywords

  • Receive Date 24 December 2024
  • Publish Date 01 October 2024