Evaluation of diagnosis and treatment practices of Brazilian neurologists among patients with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background: Recent changes to the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) and new medications have had a major impact on way in which specialists manage disease. Objective: To investigate factors considered by Brazilian neurologists managing MS, identify how these contribute diagnosis treatment. Methods: Potential participants were selected steering committee (MS experts who developed this survey). Only MS included study (neurologists completed neuroimmunology fellowship or treating more than 30 patients). Links online questionnaire distributed between March 2019 January 2020. This was composed of sections with hypothetical scenarios. Results: Neurologists from 13 states responded survey (n = 94). In clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) scenario, respondents agreed treat patients high risk diagnosis, whereas radiologically (RIS) half opted not treat, even among high-risk patients. cases low-activity relapsing-remitting (RRMS), choice treatment interferon beta, glatiramer acetate teriflunomide, changed fingolimod natalizumab, as RRMS severity increased. The topics disagreement found practices regarding use disease-modifying therapy (DMT) pregnant washout period required some DMTs. Conclusions: enabled identification areas agreement about neurologists, can be used update future protocols improve patient management.