对 MS 患者的疗效非常难以预测。一些患者出现非常良性的病程和/或对治疗反应良好，而另一些患者可能在诊断后数年内迅速变成残疾。一项关于针对 MS 患者使用干扰素β-1b 试验的长期随访研究表明，长期身体和认知功能可能主要在病程早期确定。[117]Goodin DS, Traboulsee A, Knappertz V, et al. Relationship between early clinical characteristics and long term disability outcomes: 16 year cohort study (follow-up) of the pivotal interferon β-1b trial in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012;83:282-287.http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/83/3/282.longhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22193561?tool=bestpractice.com
各种有利于更佳预后的因素已经通过前期治疗期老年人口统计学研究得到支持，包括发病时的性别、感觉症状或视神经炎。预后不良的因素包括频繁的复发以及以运动症状和小脑症状起病。最新研究已经调查了发病时 MRI 上的病变负荷，表明发作时病变负荷越大，预示着预后越差，特别是对于认知功能。[117]Goodin DS, Traboulsee A, Knappertz V, et al. Relationship between early clinical characteristics and long term disability outcomes: 16 year cohort study (follow-up) of the pivotal interferon β-1b trial in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012;83:282-287.http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/83/3/282.longhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22193561?tool=bestpractice.com[118]Vukusic S, Confavreux C. Natural history of multiple sclerosis: risk factors and prognostic indicators. Curr Opin Neurol. 2007;20:269-274.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17495619?tool=bestpractice.com
