title: Guideline for the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis: a Southern African perspective.
abstract: Before making a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is imperative that alternative diagnoses are considered and excluded. This is particularly important in South Africa, which is a moderate prevalence MS area, has a high burden of neurological infections and where the majority of the people are black - an ethnic group that has a very low frequency of MS. Before applying diagnostic criteria, there should be no better explanation for the patient's presentation. This guideline, written on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Africa, aims to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of MS in Southern Africa.
authors.affiliation: Netcare Rosebank Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa. docman1@me.com.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giampaolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhigjee
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Retief
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Britz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Opperman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Rensburg
mesh_terms: D000353:Africa, Southern / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People; D003663:Decision Trees; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta