title: A guide to facilitate the early treatment of patients with idiopathic demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica).
abstract: Definite diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating disease (multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO)) may require time, but early treatment offers the opportunity to maximize patient outcomes. The purpose of this report is to provide guidance to facilitate early treatment decisions for patients with inflammatory demyelinating disease, before definitive diagnosis. Neurology experts reviewed the existing literature and clinical evidence. A treatment decision pathway was developed, defining patients for whom first-line MS disease-modifying therapies (a) are unlikely to be effective, (b) may be effective but require careful monitoring and (c) are likely to provide benefit. This algorithm seeks to ensure that patients, particularly those in Asia, receive appropriate treatment early in inflammatory demyelinating disease.
authors: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Australia. carrollw@bigpond.com
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Carroll
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Saida
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kira
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Kermode
authors: C P
authors: CP
authors: Tsai
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Fujihara
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kusunoki
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tanaka
authors: K K
authors: KK
authors: Kim
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bates
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000628:therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Asia; Multiple sclerosis; diagnosis; interferon beta; neuromyelitis optica