Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program

Andrew Solomon, M.D. (Photo: COM Design & Photography)

(MAY 12, 2023) A group of researchers led by Andrew Solomon, M.D., associate professor of neurological sciences, tested different groups of neurologists using the McDonald criteria for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and showed that knowledge gaps or misunderstandings often led to errors, Time News reported.

Various studies — including a February 2021 study by Solomon’s team to assess comprehension and application of the McDonald criteria, and a July 2022 study by the same researchers addressing the results of educational efforts concerning proper use of McDonald criteria revisions outside MS subspecialty centers — show that the criteria are sometimes incorrectly applied by neurological specialists, including MS specialists.

Errors in the application of the McDonald criteria can lead to two situations: the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis cannot be made or can only be made with a delay, although MS is actually present, thus depriving a patient of effective drug therapy, which can lead to increased physical disability and suffering that could have been prevented; or the diagnosis of MS can be made even though another disease or perhaps only non-specific symptoms or imaging changes are actually present, in which case prescribing medications known to be effective in MS could have adverse affects if the MS diagnosis is incorrect.