title: [Prognosis and factors that predict outcome in multiple sclerosis].
abstract: An understanding of the natural history of multiple sclerosis(MS) in a patient is important to begin proper treatment at the correct time, especially when there is a high risk for poor prognosis. Factors that predict unfavorable prognosis are a primary or secondary progressive course, older age at disease onset, short interval between first and second attacks, initial cerebellar or pyramidal symptoms, a large number of functional systems involved at onset, moderate to severe disability within the first 2 years, and the presence of typical plaques or greater lesion volume shown by magnetic resonance imaging results during the first 5 years. However, there are no established laboratory tests able to predict long-term prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Research Center, Center for Neurological Diseases, Utano National Hospital.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsui
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors