Multiple sclerosis: summary of NICE guidance

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of serious physical disability in working age adults and affects over 100 000 people in the United Kingdom.1 It causes a range of symptoms and disability and requires a broad multidisciplinary approach. A 2008 report, however, suggested delays and limited access to specialist services for affected people.2 This article summarises the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).3 The guideline scope does not include disease modifying drugs as these have been covered in other NICE guidance. NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence and explicit consideration of cost effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on the guideline development group’s experience and opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italics in square brackets. ### Diagnosing multiple sclerosis View this table: McDonald criteria4 for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis