Long-term care of patients with multiple sclerosis: a neurologist's perspective

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease with varying degrees of disability and progression. Because there is no known specific therapy, for best care, patients are individualized, with attempts to deal with each patient and each complication separately, thoughtfully, and with psychological support when required. Efforts are directed toward helping the patient adjust to the realities of the disease and to specific disabilities. Ways and means of gaining patient confidence are discussed--and emphasis is placed on the known pathologic processes involved and how information, personalized professional attention, and support might function to aid the body's defense mechanisms for containment of the disease process. Several clinical cases were summarized (at the symposium) to illustrate the favorable and unfavorable effects of personality and emotional characteristics over a long term of care.