Rumrill (2009) identified that "The current standard criteria used to diagnose MS are known as McDonald Journal IdentifiĀcation ". Some people do not get diagnosed until years into the disease due to the uncertainty and cautiousness of misdiagnosing, but Rumrill (2009) also found that "Medical technology has dramatically reduced the time interval between initial symptoms and diagnosis, thereby enabling rehabilitation professionals to initiate early intervention strategies during the disease's preliminary stages ". .
Ultimately, once no other explanation of symptoms exists and one is diagnosed with MS, they are diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS, Primary Progressive MS, or Secondary Progressive MS. Research shows that about 80 percent of MS diagnoses begin as Relapsing-Remitting MS which makes it the most common (Rumrill, 2009, p. 77). Relapsing-Remitting MS is characterized by exacerbations that last up to days or weeks known as "Relapses ". "Remissions " are periods of no symptoms, and can last from months to years. Relapses do not become progressively worse; therefore the severity of impairment as a result of Relapsing-Remitting MS depends on whether the person has an incomplete or a complete recovery (Rumrill, 2009, p. 77). Primary Progressive MS is most commonly diagnosed after the age of 40, and is a slow and steady decline in functioning. About 10 percent of MS patients have Primary Progressive MS (Rumrill, 2009, p. 77). Secondary Progressive MS always starts off as Relapsing-Remitting MS, and then gets progressively worse with or without exacerbations or remissions (Rumrill, 2009, p. 77). It is approximated that about two-thirds of people with Relapsing-Remitting MS eventually progress into Secondary Progressive MS (Rumrill, 2009, p. 77). .
Below, in order of prevalence, is a descriptive list of the many physical, social, emotional and cognitive characteristics that occur in persons living with MS and that may aid in diagnosing MS.
