MS Health Check References:

1. Barnes, D, Hughes, RA, Morris, RW, et al. Randomised trial of oral and intravenous methylprednisolone in acute relapses of multiple sclerosis. Lancet 1997; 349:902.
2. Beck, RW, Cleary, PA, Trobe, JD, et al. The effect of corticosteroids for acute optic neuritis on the subsequent development of multiple sclerosis. The Optic Neuritis Study Group. N Engl J Med 1993; 329:1764
3. Schwid, SR, Thorpe, J, Sharief, M, et al. Enhanced benefit of increasing interferon beta-1a dose and frequency in relapsing multiple sclerosis: the EVIDENCE Study. Arch Neurol 2005; 62:785.
4. Goodin, DS, Frohman, EM, Garmany, GP Jr, et al. Disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines. Neurology 2002; 58:169.
5. Goodin, DS, Arnason, BG, Coyle, PK, Frohman, EM. The use of mitoxantrone (Novantrone) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2003; 61:1332.
6. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study of interferon beta-1a in relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis. PRISMS (Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis) Study Group. Lancet 1998; 352:1498.
7. PRISMS-4: Long-term efficacy of interferon-beta-1a in relapsing MS. Neurology 2001; 56:1628.
8. Rio, J, Nos, C, Bonaventura, I, et al. Corticosteroids, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen for IFNbeta-1a flu symptoms in MS: a randomized trial. Neurology 2004; 63:525.

The Health Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients better understand how factors related to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring can affect clinical outcomes.

A MS Health Score of

    For someone already diagnosed with MS:

• 40-50
  • Generally reflects excellent MS care and treatment with minimal MS symptoms or complications.
• 30-39
  • Generally reflects aggressive medial therapy and monitoring of MS with average relapses or complication or newly diagnosed MS.
• 20-29
  • Generally reflects a progression of MS symptoms and/or MRI changes despite aggressive medical therapy or currently not receiving therapy.
• Less than 20
  • Generally reflects marked progression of MS on or off medical therapy often accompanied by significant physical and/or emotional disability.

The Health Score is presented for general information purposes only and may not be accurate for everyone with MS. It is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for an evaluation by a qualified medical provider. Only your doctor can determine which diagnostic procedures and medical treatments are right for you. MS symptoms can be highly variable. The MS Health Score is based only on the current answers provided and may vary widely between MS Health Check sessions.

    For someone diagnosed with “possible” MS or CIS:

• 40-50
  • Generally reflects absence of symptoms in someone on early disease-modifying therapy.
• 30-39
  • Generally reflects presence of one or more symptoms in someone on early disease-modifying therapy.
• Less than 30
  • Generally reflects diagnosis of possible MS (or CIS), presence of one or more symptoms, and not currently on early disease-modifying therapy.

    For someone not diagnosed with MS:

• 40-50
  • Generally reflects not diagnosed with MS, possible MS (or CIS) and absence of symptoms.
• Less than 40
  • Generally reflects concerned about one or more symptoms. Not currently diagnosed with MS, possible MS (or CIS).

The MS Well-being Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients examine how personal attitudes, beliefs, and support from others may affect their MS and overall quality of life.

A Well-being score of:

• 15-20
  • Generally reflects an optimistic attitude and a determination to overcome whatever challenges come along.
• 10-14
  • Generally reflects a positive attitude and an acceptance of life’s challenges.
• 5-9
  • Generally reflects someone who is struggling to be optimistic and may have difficulty asking others for help.
• Less than 5
  • Generally reflects someone who had encountered significant challenges with MS and who may need addition support.

The Knowledge Score was created by a team of medical experts at WebMD to help patients make better medical decisions through a process of self-testing supported by tailored information to fill critical knowledge gaps.

A MS Knowledge score of:

• 20-30
  • Generally reflects an excellent overall understanding of MS and its management.
• 10-19
  • Generally reflects a solid knowledgebase upon which to build.
• Less than 10
  • Generally reflects someone who has been living with MS and is due for a refresher or newly diagnosed.