Andrew J Solomon1, Dennis N Bourdette2, Anne H Cross2, Angela Applebee2, Philip M Skidd2, Diantha B Howard2, Rebecca I Spain2, Michelle H Cameron2, Edward Kim2, Michele K Mass2, Vijayshree Yadav2, Ruth H Whitham2, Erin E Longbrake2, Robert T Naismith2, Gregory F Wu2, Becky J Parks2, Dean M Wingerchuk2, Brian L Rabin2, Michel Toledano2, W Oliver Tobin2, Orhun H Kantarci2, Jonathan L Carter2, B Mark Keegan2, Brian G Weinshenker2. 1. From the Departments of Neurological Sciences (A.J.S., A.A.) and Ophthalmology (P.M.S.), and Center for Clinical and Translational Science (D.B.H.), University of Vermont, Burlington; Department of Neurology (D.N.B., R.I.S., M.H.C., E.K., M.K.M., V.Y., R.H.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland; Department of Neurology (A.H.C., E.E.L., R.T.N., G.F.W., B.J.P.), Washington University, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (D.M.W., B.L.R., J.L.C.), Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ; and Department of Neurology (M.T., W.O.T., O.H.K., B.M.K., B.G.W.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. andrew.solomon@uvm.edu. 2. From the Departments of Neurological Sciences (A.J.S., A.A.) and Ophthalmology (P.M.S.), and Center for Clinical and Translational Science (D.B.H.), University of Vermont, Burlington; Department of Neurology (D.N.B., R.I.S., M.H.C., E.K., M.K.M., V.Y., R.H.W.), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland; Department of Neurology (A.H.C., E.E.L., R.T.N., G.F.W., B.J.P.), Washington University, St. Louis, MO; Department of Neurology (D.M.W., B.L.R., J.L.C.), Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ; and Department of Neurology (M.T., W.O.T., O.H.K., B.M.K., B.G.W.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Neurologists at 4 academic MS centers submitted data on patients determined to have been misdiagnosed with MS. RESULTS: Of 110 misdiagnosed patients, 51 (46%) were classified as "definite" and 59 (54%) "probable" misdiagnoses according to study definitions. Alternate diagnoses included migraine alone or in combination with other diagnoses 24 (22%), fibromyalgia 16 (15%), nonspecific or nonlocalizing neurologic symptoms with abnormal MRI 13 (12%), conversion or psychogenic disorders 12 (11%), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder 7 (6%). Duration of misdiagnosis was 10 years or longer in 36 (33%) and an earlier opportunity to make a correct diagnosis was identified for 79 patients (72%). Seventy-seven (70%) received disease-modifying therapy and 34 (31%) experienced unnecessary morbidity because of misdiagnosis. Four (4%) participated in a research study of an MS therapy. Leading factors contributing to misdiagnosis were consideration of symptoms atypical for demyelinating disease, lack of corroborative objective evidence of a CNS lesion as satisfying criteria for MS attacks, and overreliance on MRI abnormalities in patients with nonspecific neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis of MS leads to unnecessary and potentially harmful risks to patients. Misinterpretation and misapplication of MS clinical and radiographic diagnostic criteria are important contemporary contributors to misdiagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize patients misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Neurologists at 4 academic MS centers submitted data on patients determined to have been misdiagnosed with MS. RESULTS: Of 110 misdiagnosed patients, 51 (46%) were classified as "definite" and 59 (54%) "probable" misdiagnoses according to study definitions. Alternate diagnoses included migraine alone or in combination with other diagnoses 24 (22%), fibromyalgia 16 (15%), nonspecific or nonlocalizing neurologic symptoms with abnormal MRI 13 (12%), conversion or psychogenic disorders 12 (11%), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder 7 (6%). Duration of misdiagnosis was 10 years or longer in 36 (33%) and an earlier opportunity to make a correct diagnosis was identified for 79 patients (72%). Seventy-seven (70%) received disease-modifying therapy and 34 (31%) experienced unnecessary morbidity because of misdiagnosis. Four (4%) participated in a research study of an MS therapy. Leading factors contributing to misdiagnosis were consideration of symptoms atypical for demyelinating disease, lack of corroborative objective evidence of a CNS lesion as satisfying criteria for MS attacks, and overreliance on MRI abnormalities in patients with nonspecific neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis of MS leads to unnecessary and potentially harmful risks to patients. Misinterpretation and misapplication of MS clinical and radiographic diagnostic criteria are important contemporary contributors to misdiagnosis.
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