Med. praxi. 2022;19(3):169-172 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2022.026

Early symptoms and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by the general practitioner

MUDr. Radek Ampapa

Centrum demyelinizačních onemocnění při neurologickém oddělení Nemocnice Jihlava, p. o.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. The underlying pathophysiology of the disease is an autoimmune inflammation with concomitant neurodegeneration. The clinical manifestations of nervous tissue injury are a variety of neurological symptoms that can regress spontaneously in the early stage of the disease and can be mistaken for another disease. Most frequently, they include optic nerve inflammation, impaired sensitivity, vertigo, movement disorders, diplopia, or sphincter dysfunction. An initial symptom of multiple sclerosis often prompts the patient to visit the general practitioner. Given the nature of the disease that can result in a permanent neurological deficit and the current treatment options, the role of the general practitioner in the diagnostic algorithm for multiple sclerosis is irreplaceable. Reaching the correct diagnosis promptly is essential for early initiation of treatment, significantly improving the prognosis of the disease.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, early symptoms, diagnostic criteria.

Published: June 16, 2022  Show citation