Multiple sclerosis by the numbers
Statistics from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Statistics from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects approximately 1 million people in the U.S. Since symptoms vary widely among patients and may overlap with other neurological conditions, providers rely on rule-out testing before arriving at a diagnosis, causing challenges in early evaluation.
Labcorp’s comprehensive MS portfolio gives you the insights needed to rule out other conditions, while providing diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring solutions that can improve health and outcomes for MS patients.
There is no single test to diagnose MS, so having a trusted laboratory partner that provides supportive testing is essential. Labcorp offers a comprehensive portfolio of testing options that help to streamline ordering and lessen the patient burden.
Understanding a patient’s MS journey is crucial to personalizing care and identifying the right treatment. New blood biomarkers—neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)—provide valuable insight into disease activity and progression between MRIs, minimizing patient burden and helping you evaluate and monitor MS with greater clarity.
As the only national reference lab to offer NfL and GFAP testing, Labcorp is proud to offer a suite of blood-based biomarker tests for MS that empower you to make informed treatment decisions tailored to each patient's specific disease stage.
Though NfL has proven to be an effective marker to gauge therapeutic response in active disease—and has now been included in the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers guidelines for this use, among others1—GFAP has demonstrated stronger prediction of disease progression, irrespective of relapse activity.2,3 Additionally, serial GFAP measurements can be a marker of disease severity.3,4 Together, NfL and GFAP are new ways of helping physicians evaluate and monitor MS patients with simple blood draws that not only complement MRI, but may also reduce the needed frequency of MRI.
A critical part of MS diagnosis is ruling out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In addition to MS blood tests that help in early identification, Labcorp also offers the full spectrum of tests needed to rule out these other conditions.
Number | Name |
---|---|
505295 | Anti-Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), Serum |
505310 | Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG), Serum |
505485 | CNS Demyelinating Disease Evaluation Profile, Serum |
505592 | Autoimmune Myelopathy Profile |
520342 | Lupus Diagnostic Profile |
520196 | Sjogren's Profile Plus (RDL) |
520293 | Vasculitis Profile (RDL) |
Number | Name |
---|---|
083935 | HIV p24 Antigen/Antibody With Reflex to Confirmation |
163246 | Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1, 2 (HTLV-1/HTLV-2), Qualitative |
164226 | Lyme Antibodies, Modified 2-Tier Testing Profile, Serum/Plasma |
138685 | Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, Real-time PCR |
082345 | Syphilis: Treponemal Antibodies With Reflex to RPR and RPR Titer, Reverse Screening and Diagnosis Algorithm |
As new therapies emerge for MS treatment and management, having the right lab partner is essential to improving patient outcomes. We are committed to helping you transform MS care, which is why we continue to expand our MS portfolio to equip you with the latest diagnostic tools and emerging biomarkers.
When you need guidance on vague symptoms and disease progression for MS, our extensive testing options provide clear answers. Contact us to learn more about our MS portfolio or explore our offerings for other neurological and autoimmune disorders.
Contact a Labcorp representative to learn more about how we can help meet your neurology testing needs
References