Descriptive study of first visits in a multiple sclerosis specialised unit

BACKGROUND: The need for optimal care has led to implementation of multiple sclerosis care units, specialised in diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis patients. Since information on multiple sclerosis prognosis is crucial, accurate diagnosis is one of their major roles.METHOD: Prospective analysis of first visits during a year (origin and diagnosis) at the Unidad de Neuroinmunologia Clinica of Hospital Vall d'Hebron.RESULTS: A total of 437 first visits were analysed; a moderate agreement (kappa = 0.468) between referral diagnoses and diagnosis at follow-up was obtained; agreement was very good (kappa = 0.844) between diagnosis at first visit and diagnosis at follow-up. In the subgroup of 200 patients with a demyelinating disease on follow-up after one year, 37.6% of referrals came from other non-specialised centers and 40.6% from our own center.CONCLUSION: Specialised care units enhance diagnostic precision; direct influence zone and nonspecialised centers referrals are their more important sources of patients.