Methodology

Multiple Sclerosis, Criteria to Determine Disability

May 2004

Clinical Focus*

• What is the reliability of new McDonald criteria (incorporating supplementary information from radiologic and laboratory studies including magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], visual evoked potential [VEP], and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] analyses) compared with long-term followup diagnosis of clinically definite MS according to the Poser criteria?
• What is the inter-rater reliability of diagnosis of MS according to Poser or McDonald criteria among neurologists or between neurologists and non-neurologist physicians?
• What clinical indicators, including particularly time-course of impairments, predict physical or mental impairment at 12 months?
• Among patients/individuals with MS:
  • Do current disease-modifying treatments result in long-term improvements in physical or mental outcomes compared to placebo or usual care?
  • Do treatments aimed at symptom management result in improvements in physical or mental outcomes compared to usual care?
  • What physical, mental, laboratory, or radiographic findings have been associated with inability to work?
  • How does elevated temperature or other environmental factors impair the capacity to work?

*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.

Criteria to Determine Disability Related to Multiple Sclerosis
Summary (Publication No. 04-E019-1, May 2004)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 04-E019-2, May 2004)
(PDF Files; File Download)

EPC: Duke University Evidence-based Practice Center
Topic Nominator: Social Security Administration

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