title: [A review of multiple sclerosis (1). Presentation of a case].
abstract: Multiple sclerosis is a major demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It has a significant economic and social impact. Its etiology is unclear, although there are several hypotheses, such as infections or genetics. In its pathophysiology, it seems that immune activation attacks the myelin sheath, causing a progressive and irreversible axonal degeneration. The disease produces a variety of symptoms, and diagnosis requires fulfilling a number of criteria and the exclusion of other possible causes. The role of neuroimaging, especially MRI, is very important. Despite the availability of disease-modifying drugs, none of them are able to halt its progress, and the most useful drugs are those designed to alleviate the symptoms of outbreaks. Overall, multiple sclerosis requires a significant effort in research to clarify not only why and how it occurs, but also to develop of new measures to improve the life of affected patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Atenció Primària Horta, Barcelona, España; Grupo de Trabajo de Neurología de SEMERGEN, España. Electronic address: mcmartinezaltarriba@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martinez-Altarriba
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Atenció Primària Horta, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ramos-Campoy
authors.affiliation: Hospital Rafael Méndez, Lorca, Murcia, España.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Luna-Calcaño
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Trabajo de Neurología de SEMERGEN, España; Centro de Salud Segovia Rural, Segovia, España.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arrieta-Antón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Atención Primaria; Demyelinating diseases; Diagnoses; Diagnóstico; Enfermedades desmielinizantes; Esclerosis múltiple; Multiple sclerosis; Primary Care; Therapeutics; Tratamiento