title: Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on the presence of clinical and paraclinical evidence demonstrating dissemination of central nervous system lesions in both space and time, as well as the exclusion of other disorders. Diagnostic criteria were originally promulgated in 1965 by the Schumacher committee and modified subsequently by the Poser committee to include paraclinical evidence. The most recent criteria are the 2010 modifications of the 2001 McDonald criteria, which are focused on making an earlier diagnosis of MS. This article provides guidelines, derived from clinical experience as well as evidence-based medicine, for the diagnosis and management of MS with special emphasis on practices in the Middle East.
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. yamoutba@gmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yamout
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alroughani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Jumah
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abouzeid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahdaleh
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alsharoqi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inshasi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashem
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: ElKallab
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alsaadi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tawfeek
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohlega
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008877:Middle East; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009187:Myelitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D000069442:Natalizumab; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069442:Natalizumab; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D013110:Sphingosine; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a