General Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in Turkey

Murat Terzi; Yahya Çelik; Münire Kılınç; Feray Seleker; Nihal Işık; Muhteşem Gedizlioğlu; Yaşar Zorlu

Murat Terzi¹, Yahya Çelik², Münire Kılınç³, Feray Seleker⁴, Nihal Işık⁵, Muhteşem Gedizlioğlu⁶, Yaşar Zorlu⁷

¹Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey
²Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Trakya, Edirne, Turkey
³Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Baskent, Ankara, Turkey
⁴Clinic of Neurology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
⁵Clinic of Neurology, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
⁶Clinic of Neurology, Izmir Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
⁷Clinic of Neurology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, diagnosis, therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The clinical progress of multiple sclerosis (MS), initial symptoms and problems during the course of a disease that can be seen, may vary among the patients. Therefore, different applications occurs in the disease diagnosis and treatment plan. The difficulties of diagnosis, treatment and progress of MS disease, experienced by the neurology residents and experts from different regions of the Turkey is intended to introduce.

METHODS: Interactive meetings was arrenged in total 11 cities from different regions of Turkey, between March 2008 and June 2008. The data obtained as a result of the responses of participants were evaluated.

RESULTS: Neurology specialist and research assistant, total of 242 persons participated. It was observed that 14 percent of visual evoked potential, 40 percent of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal band review and one percent of magnetic resonance imaging examinations used in diagnosis of MS can’t be done. There was significant differences between regions about feasibility of CSF OCB. Sixty one percent of participants thought to start immunomodulatory treatment to typical relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients, filled in the Mc Donald diagnostic criteria and had two attack story.

CONCLUSION: As all the world, in Turkey being very much difference about clinical, radiological and laboratory features of MS lead to the neurology experts work hard and the emergence of different applications about the disease diagnosis and treatment plan.