Appraisal of the multiple sclerosis functional composite

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease with widely varying clinical manifestations and a clinical course that fluctuates over short periods of time. Ideal outcome measures for assessment of multiple sclerosis-related impairment have been lacking but are increasingly needed as new therapeutic agents are developed and active control groups are used in clinical trials. The multiple sclerosis functional composite was developed in an attempt to create a better outcome measure for multiple sclerosis and indeed it has many of the desired features of an ideal outcome measure. The methods used to develop and validate this outcome measure are discussed, as well as potential areas for improvement.