Identification, causation, alleviation, and prevention of complications (ICAP): an approach to symptom and disability management in multiple sclerosis.

Comprehensive management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) includes treatment to modify the disease course and interventions to address the persistent symptoms and consequences of this chronic illness, which can affect patients for decades. Although much excitement and attention accompanies new therapeutic initiatives for disease management, symptomatic issues are often overshadowed despite their impact on patients' daily lives. This article describes the application of an organizational scheme of identification, causation, alleviation, and prevention of complications as a tool for identifying and managing symptomatic issues in patients with MS.