2017 McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis: Earlier diagnosis with reduced specificity?

BACKGROUND: McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis were revised in 2017. OBJECTIVE: Aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity and specificity of 2017 and 2010 McDonald criteria in patients presenting with an initial demyelinating event (IDE). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with an IDE and collected clinical, MRI and CSF data in order to demonstrate fulfilment of 2010 and 2017 McDonald criteria. RESULTS: 2017 McDonald criteria showed 100% (86.8-100%) sensitivity and 13.8% (3.9-31.7%) specificity. CONCLUSION: 2017 McDonald criteria appear to have higher sensitivity but reduced specificity compared to 2010 McDonald criteria.