http://praxis.md/newsbureau/MD/newsarchive.asp?news_id=1432&news=MD
NEW YORK, Aug 1 (Praxis Press)
A definite diagnosis of multiple
sclerosis (MS) can only be reached after the second neurologic relapse
occurs.
Therefore, between the first and
second relapse, patients are classified as having probable MS.
To investigate the rate of progression
from probable to clinically definite MS, Achiron and colleagues performed
a 7-year prospective study of 163 patients experiencing their first episode
of neurologic symptoms suggestive of MS.
They found that within the follow-up
period (mean, 42 months), 136 patients had an additional relapse and were
therefore defined as having clinically definite MS, whereas 27 patients
were defined as having clinically probable MS.
The researchers also analyzed demographic
and clinical parameters at presentation to identify variables predictive
of rapid progression (within one year) to clinical definite MS.
Motor involvement at onset was the
only clinical parameter associated with rapid progression to a definite
diagnosis.
Polysymptomatic involvement and higher
Extended Disability Status Scale score at presentation also correlated
with rapid progression to definite diagnosis.
Most patients with a diagnosis of
probable MS will progress rapidly to clinically definite MS.
©2001 Praxis Press Inc
Reference: Achiron A, Barak
Y: Multiple sclerosis--from probable to definite diagnosis; a 7-year prospective
study. Arch Neurol. 2000 July;57(7): 974-79 [abstract].