Advances in diagnostics: Multiple sclerosis is now diagnosed more quickly

Advances in diagnostics

In Germany, multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed much more quickly today than it was a few years ago, according to an analysis of the MS Registry of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society. Immunotherapy is also being initiated earlier.

Modern imaging techniques have improved the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Today, the diagnosis can be made much more quickly than ten years ago. / © Getty Images/Pornpak Khunatorn

In recent years, the time from the first symptoms of a The German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG) reports that the time to diagnosis for MS has been noticeably shortened. According to their data analysis, the time required to diagnose MS has decreased from around 18 months to about six months over the past ten years. This has been made possible by improved diagnostic procedures, modern imaging techniques, and heightened awareness of MS—not only among specialists but also among general practitioners.

This is positive, because a rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial for early treatment of the disease . Especially for relapsing-remitting MS, effective medications are available that can prevent new attacks and slow progression.

According to the German Medical Association (DMSG), the speed of diagnosis depends on various factors. Older age at onset, multiple concurrent symptoms, or typical complaints such as tingling and numbness generally lead to a faster diagnosis. A higher level of education also has a positive effect. Delays, however, occur more frequently when the disease begins insidiously – as in primary progressive MS – or when the initial symptoms are nonspecific, such as bladder problems, motor impairments, or depressive moods. Extreme delays, however, have become rare: Only 2 percent of those affected wait longer than five years for a diagnosis. In 2015, this figure was 9 percent.

Significant progress is also being seen in the initiation of therapy. Today, patients begin drug treatment on average around two months after diagnosis—a record high compared to other countries. In the US, this takes about three months, and in the UK, even nine. In Germany, patients benefit from rapid access to specialized MS centers that operate according to DMSG quality criteria, the society reports.

The analysis is based on data from these specialized centers and therefore does not necessarily reflect the overall care situation. Nevertheless, the time to diagnosis and treatment initiation for MS patients in Germany has significantly shortened in recent years.