Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis: Why Does This Happen?

Multiple sclerosis has a variety of symptoms that are similar to other diseases, including autoimmune, infectious, vascular, and other diseases. This can increase the likelihood of a misdiagnosis, so it is imperative that you are sure that your diagnosis of MS or one of the other diseases that can mimic MS is correct.

Problems of varied presentation among patients and a number of diseases that have symptoms similar to those of MS can pose difficulties for clinicians not only with diagnosis but also with treatment. These mimics may have similar symptoms but different treatments, so an incorrect diagnosis will only lead to the prescription of the wrong treatment and possible complications for the individual in the future. Research suggests that up to 10% of people diagnosed with MS may have been misdiagnosed.

How is MS diagnosed?

Doctors need an accurate family and personal history that details information about all risk factors, such as neurological problems in the family, geographic locations in which you have lived, substance abuse, reactions to heat, medications taken, past surgeries, illnesses, and allergies.

You should tell the doctor about any symptoms you have been experiencing, when they started, information about what you were doing when you experienced them can also provide the doctor with diagnostic information.

Neurological exams to test for exaggerated reflexes, eye exams to determine optic nerve damage. MRIs to identify lesions in the brain and possibly determine when they developed provide the doctor with additional evidence that he or she can then use to rule out alternative diagnoses and diseases that mimic MS symptoms.

All of this information will help doctors avoid possible misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

What diseases are similar to MS?

This is one of the most important questions asked by people who may be experiencing symptoms and are concerned that they may have MS.

Autoimmune, infectious, vascular, and other disorders may display symptoms that mimic MS.

autoimmune disorders

Lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects the blood and kidneys. Many of its symptoms resemble those of MS, such as extreme fatigue, sensitivity to sun or light, joint pain, swelling, and seizures.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) affects the brain and spinal cord. Optic neuritis, lethargy, delirium, and limb paralysis on one side of the body are common symptoms of this disease.

Sjögren’s Syndrome affects the whole body as it is a systemic disease. Symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty swallowing and speaking, joint pain, and numbness.

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) may present with muscle fatigue, limb weakness, and impaired eye coordination, among other symptoms.

Sarcoidosis patients may experience vision problems, excessive thirst, and chronic fatigue and arthritis.

Any of these diseases can result in a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis when proper history and testing are ignored.

Infectious diseases

Neurosyphilis and Lyme disease are infectious diseases that mimic MS. Partial paralysis of the lower extremities, bladder and bowel incontinence, and impotence are some of the symptoms of Lyme disease, while neurosyphilis can cause visual problems.

Vascular disorders

Strokes, central nervous system angitis, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and Binswanger’s disease are vascular diseases that mimic MS and can increase the chances of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis.

others

Muscular dystrophy (DM), fibromyalgia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), vitamin B12 deficiency, migraine, Beçhets, hypothyroidism, Arnold-Chiari deformity, and hypertension mimic MS and can increase the likelihood of a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis.