Multiple Sclerosis Diagnostic Delay and Misdiagnosis

Marwa Kaisey; Andrew J Solomon

doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2023.07.001

Multiple Sclerosis Diagnostic Delay and Misdiagnosis

Neurol Clin. 2024 Feb;42(1):1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.07.001.

Authors

Marwa Kaisey¹, Andrew J Solomon²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 South San Vicente Boulevard, A6600, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. Electronic address: Marwa.Kaisey@csmc.edu.
² Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, University Health Center, Arnold 2, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.

PMID: 37980109
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.07.001

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) misdiagnosis in the form of an incorrect diagnosis of MS, as well as delayed diagnosis in patients who do have MS, both influence patient clinical outcomes. Contemporary studies have reported data on factors associated with these diagnostic challenges and their frequency. Expediting diagnosis in patients with MS and reducing MS misdiagnosis in patients who do not have MS may be aided by educational efforts surrounding early MS symptoms and proper application of MS diagnostic criteria. Emerging novel MS diagnostic biomarkers may aid early and accurate diagnosis of MS in the future.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Diagnostic errors; McDonald criteria; Multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Delayed Diagnosis
Diagnostic Errors
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Multiple Sclerosis* / diagnosis