Diagnostic delay of multiple sclerosis: prevalence, determinants and consequences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with better outcomes; however, diagnostic delays remain a major problem.

Objective

Describe the prevalence, determinants and consequences of delayed diagnoses.

Methods

This single-centre ambispective study analysed 146 adult relapsing-remitting MS patients (2016-2021) for frequency and determinants of diagnostic delays and their associations with clinical, cognitive, imaging and biochemical measures.

Results

Diagnostic delays were identified in 77 patients (52.7%), including 42 (28.7%) physician-dependent cases and 35 (24.0%) patient-dependent cases. Diagnosis was delayed in 22 (15.1%) patients because of misdiagnosis by a neurologist. A longer diagnostic delay was

SUBMITTER: Uher T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10580682 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature