Value of multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria. 70 autopsy-confirmed cases
G. Izquierdo, J. J. Hauw, O. Lyon-Caen, R. Marteau, R. Escourolle, A. Buge, P. Castaigne and F. Lhermitte
We have evaluated the sensitivity of the most recent and most frequently
used criteria for the diagnosis of definite multiple sclerosis by the
retrospective study of the clinical files of 70 pathologically confirmed
cases. For each case, the date of diagnosis was determined separately using
different sets of criteria. The delay of diagnosis was then calculated. The
diagnosis was made significantly earlier when certain criteria were used.
This was more marked in the earlier years of the disease. We also found
that cases of multiple sclerosis with progressive courses were diagnosed
later than cases with other courses, whatever the criteria used. This was
statistically significant only for a single criterion.