IMPROVING THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - DIAGNOSIS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the commonest neurological cause of disabil ity in young adults. The clinical course is extremely variable, but ty pically a relapsing-remitting phase of variable duration is followed b y a gradual progression in disability. However, the diagnosis of MS ma y have an impact that reaches beyond the physical disabilities into ma ny other aspects of life, including career and family. The time of dia gnosis is one of the most important in the course of the illness and t he way in which investigations are conducted, the timing and manner of imparting the diagnosis, and subsequent support and education may hav e far-reaching consequences. The diagnostic phase thus presents a diff icult management challenge for the neurologist and other health worker s attempting to address these issues. This review considers the steps involved in reaching the diagnosis, together with ways in which the ov erall quality of life of the patient may be maximized during this peri od.