Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Symptoms
 

What is MS?
 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Typically, in MS, nervous system components become inflamed, resulting in damage called lesions and some tissue loss may occur1,2. MS is a major cause of neurological disability among young adults1,2. Patients can have a variable range of symptoms in MS. These can include changes in movement, balance or vision1. “Hidden” symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, or mental health conditions may also occur1. This is unsurprising, given the complexity of the nervous system and the range of CNS areas that may be affected by MS1.

MS is categorized based on initial disease course as1:

  • Relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS)
    • Most common type of MS, seen in 85–90% of patients suffering from MS
    • Distinguishing feature is relapse – the appearance of new symptoms or worsening of pre-existing symptoms
  • Primary progressive MS (PPMS)
    • Affects 10–15% of MS patients

Additionally, over the course of time, secondary progressive MS (SPMS) may occur1:

  • Most RRMS cases may develop into this progressive type
  • Key feature is progressive accumulation of disability with or without relapses
Image
Illustration of central nerve system

 

Who is affected by MS?
 

MS is a global problem. Worldwide, approximately 2.8 million people currently live with MS1. In Belgium, the Charcot Foundation estimated, in 2018, that approximately 13,500 people were affected by MS3.

People living in regions more distant from the equator exhibit a higher risk of developing MS than those close to the equator1. The incidence rate (number of new cases diagnosed each year) has been reported to be higher in Northern Europe compared with Southern and Eastern Europe1.

These regional variations can be due to differences in genetic, environmental and healthcare factors across territories and countries1.

Women are diagnosed with RRMS nearly 3 times more than men. In contrast, men and women are similarly affected by PPMS2.

Most patients are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 years1. Recently, diagnosis of MS in people over 50 years old has been increasing. Combined with improvements in MS lifespan and prognosis, this means that MS is currently more prevalent in older populations1.

Image
Illustration of damaged neurons

Demyelination - The neuron on the left shows a healthy myelinated axon, while the neuron on the right shows an axon with damaged or missing myelin sheaths

 

Impact of MS
 

The chronic nature of MS means that disability builds up over time2. This can profoundly affect daily life and independence for those living with this condition1.

 


References
 

  1. Portaccio E, Magyari M, Havrdova EK, Ruet A, Brochet B, Scalfari A, Di Filippo M, Tur C, Montalban X, Amato MP. Multiple sclerosis: emerging epidemiological trends and redefining the clinical course. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2024; 44: 100977. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100977
  2. Hauser SL, Cree BAC. Treatment of multiple sclerosis: a review. Am J Med. 2020; 133(12): 1380–1390.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.05.049
  3. The Charcot Foundation. Multiple sclerosis: the disease. Accessed at: La Sclérose en Plaques | Fondation Charcot stichting

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