Galea I, Lederer C, Neuhaus A, Muraro PA, Scalfari A, Koch-Henriksen N, Heesen C, Koepke S, Stellmann P, Albrecht H, Winkelmann A, Weber F, Bahn E, Hauser M, Edan G, Ebers G, Daumer M.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23379849

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The Evidence-Based Decision Support Tool in Multiple Sclerosis (EBDiMS) is the first Web-based prognostic calculator in multiple sclerosis (MS) capable of delivering individualized estimates of disease progression. It has recently been extended to provide long-term predictions based on the data from a large natural history cohort.

METHODS:
We compared the predictive accuracy and consistency of EBDiMS with that of 17 neurologists highly specialized in MS.

RESULTS:
We show that whilst the predictive accuracy was similar, neurologists showed a significant intra-rater and inter-rater variability.

CONCLUSIONS:
Because EBDiMS was consistent, it is of superior utility in a specialist setting. Further field testing of EBDiMS n non-specialist settings, and investigation of its usefulness for counselling patients in treatment decisions, is warranted.

© 2012 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2012 EFNS.