Early MS treatment.

Abstract

Evidence from research suggests that many patients with clinically isolated syndromes or early MS should be treated with disease-modifying drugs at an early stage. Certainly, when continuing disease activity has been demonstrated clinically or by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the need to initiate treatment is clear. Studies supporting early treatment rely on evidence which shows that the experiences of the first few years are likely to impact on the long-term evolution of the disease. The decision to start treatment should be made jointly by the patient and the physician after reviewing the existing evidence. While MRI can be used to determine who will benefit most from treatment, the use of other biological markers needs to be confirmed in different settings before they can be used in clinical practice.