Neurol. praxi. 2021;22(2):128-131 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2021.003

Early diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

MUDr. Marek Peterka^{1, 2}, MUDr. Pavel Potužník¹

¹ Neurologická klinika LF UK a FN Plzeň

² Neurologická klinika LF a FN Hradec Králové

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system requiring early diagnosis and treatment. Currently, there is no specific test to confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the diagnostic process continues to be based on three main principles: clinical analysis compatible with the diagnosis (type of symptoms, their progression in time, the person's age and sex, etc.), evidence of process dissemination in time and space, and exclusion of alternative diagnoses. Given the importance of early diagnosis, the diagnostic criteria were revised in 2017, again highlighting the importance of detecting intrathecal oligoclonal band synthesis. Newly, the presence of oligoclonal bands can replace dissemination in time in establishing the diagnosis. These changes should facilitate establishing early diagnosis that can be followed by immediate treatment.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, disability, initial clinical attack, diagnostic criteria, early treatment.

Received: December 22, 2020; Revised: December 22, 2020; Accepted: January 4, 2021; Prepublished online: January 4, 2021; Published: April 30, 2021  Show citation