MS is a leading cause of non-traumatic impairment in young people.1,2
MS is often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.3
Women are twice as likely to be affected by MS as men.2
Approximately 2.8 million3 people worldwide have MS.
Disease incidence is highest in countries furthest from the equator.4
Approximately 15,0005 people in Switzerland have MS.
MS patients can have many different symptoms.6
Up to 90% of people with MS suffer from fatigue).7
Within 15 years of disease onset, more than 50% of people with MS have difficulty walking.6,8,9
Visual difficulties are common and an early symptom in 15-20% of people with MS.10
At least 80% of people with MS have bladder dysfunction.11
Depression is three times more common in people with MS.12
People with MS are twice as likely to have sleep problems.13
Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
85% of MS patients are initially diagnosed with RRMS.15
Secondary progressive MS (SPMS)
Progression of the disease in most patients with RRMS to SPMS.16
Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
10% -15% of people with MS are diagnosed with PPMS.15
MS cannot be cured, but research continues so that the disease can be better understood and treated.6
What causes MS?
What are the new ways to monitor disease activity?
How can new MS drugs be better researched?
How can we predict which patients will benefit from a particular treatment?
References
Murray TJ. (2006). Diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. BMJ, 322 (7540):525-527.
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. (2013). Atlas of MS 2013. Available at:
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. What is MS? Available at
Simpson S, et al. (2011) Latitude is significantly associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 82(10):1132-1141.
Schweizerische Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft. (2022). Über MS. Available at
National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2015). Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/ multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm.
Hemmett L, et al. (2004) What drives quality of life in multiple sclerosis? QJM, 97(10):671–6. 7.
Souza A, et al. (2010) Multiple sclerosis and mobility-related assistive technology: systematic review of the literature. J Rehabil Res Dev, 47:213–223.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2010). Gait or Walking Problems. Available at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/ Brochures/Brochure-Gait-or-Walking-Problems.pdf.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Visual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis. Available at: http://www.va.gov/MS/Veterans/symptom_management/Visual_Dysfunction_in_Multiple_ Sclerosis.asp.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bladder Problems. Available at:
Siegert RJ, Abernethy DA. (2005). Depression in multiple sclerosis: a review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 76:469–475.
Lobentanz IS, et al. (2004). Factors influencing quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients: Disability, depressive mood, fatigue and sleep quality. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 110:6–13.
Brex PA, et al. (2002). A longitudinal study of abnormalities on MRI and disability from multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med, 346(3):158-164.
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Types of MS. Available at
Trojano M., et al. (2003) The transition from relapsing–remitting MS to irreversible disability: clinical evaluation. Neurol Sci, 24(Suppl. 5): S268–S270.
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