Unified Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Guideline Introduced in Abu Dhabi

A comprehensive Guideline for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis has been introduced in Abu Dhabi to standardise diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up across the emirate’s healthcare system.
Published by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the framework applies to healthcare professionals and health insurers. Version 1.0 took effect in March 2025 and is scheduled for revision in March 2028.
The guideline adopts the 2024 McDonald criteria and 2021 MAGNIMS recommendations for diagnosis and monitoring, outlining MRI protocols, cerebrospinal fluid testing and recognised biomarkers. It sets defined follow-up intervals to track disease activity and disability progression.
For acute relapses, high-dose methylprednisolone is recommended as first-line treatment, with plasmapheresis advised for severe or steroid-resistant cases. Disease-modifying therapy pathways are detailed for relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis, including escalation strategies where response is inadequate and defined criteria for higher-efficacy agents.
The document also outlines conditions for off-label prescribing, stem cell transplantation in highly active cases, and guidance for special populations including paediatric patients and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Multidisciplinary care models are defined to support coordinated treatment delivery across specialised centres.