Multiple Sclerosis Facts

MS affects millions of people worldwide. But there are some facts which have emerged over the years. Through research, studies, and historical records, doctors and scientists have come up with these multiple sclerosis facts.

History

First Diagnosed in 1849

The earliest known description of a person with possible Multiple Sclerosis dates back to 14th century, Holland

Multiple sclerosis was first identified and described by a French neurologist, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, in 1868

First written record of someone with MS was Augustus Frederick d'Este (1794–1848), grandson of King George III of Great Britain

Who Gets it

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common, progressive, and disabling, neurological condition in young adults

Multiple Sclerosis affects women much more frequently than men. Approx. 1.7 – 2:1 in the US and approx. 3:2 in the UK

The ratio of white to non-white is approx. 2:1

Gypsies and Inuit's do get Multiple Sclerosis although the incidence rate is much lower than other populations at approx. 19 per 100,000

Native Indians of North and South America, Japanese and other Asian people have a very low incidence of Multiple Sclerosis

Is it Genetic?

In identical twins where one twin develops the disease, the likelihood of the second twin developing Multiple Sclerosis is approx. 30%

The incidence rate for non-identical twins, where one contracts Multiple Sclerosis, is approx. 4%

The risk of contracting Multiple Sclerosis if a first-degree relative (father, mother, sibling) has the disease, is approx. 1% - 3% overall

The risk of contracting Multiple Sclerosis if your father has the disease is approx. 1 in 100

The risk of contracting Multiple Sclerosis if your mother has the disease is approx. 1 in 50

The risk among the general population of contracting Multiple Sclerosis is approx. 1 in 800

Where?

Approx. 2.5 million people worldwide, have Multiple Sclerosis

Around 400,000 people in the United States have Multiple Sclerosis

Approx. 200 people are diagnosed with MS every week in the United States

In the UK, approx. 70,000 people have the disease

Approx. 50,000 people in Canada have Multiple Sclerosis

Scotland has the highest incidence of Multiple Sclerosis per head of population in the world

In Scotland, over 10,500 people have Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is five times more prevalent in temperate climates than in tropical climates

Worldwide, MS occurs more frequently in higher latitudes (above 40° latitude) away from the equator, than in lower latitudes, close to the equator.

What Causes it?

No virus has ever been isolated as the cause of Multiple Sclerosis

When?

Average age of clinical onset is 30 – 33 years of age

The average age of diagnosis is 37 years of age

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age

The average time between clinical onset of MS and diagnosis by physicians is 4 - 5 years

10% of cases are diagnosed after the age of fifty

How Long?

In 1936, only 8% of patients were reported to survive beyond 20 years after onset of MS

In 1961, over 80% of Multiple Sclerosis patients were reported surviving to 20 years after onset of illness

In 2002, a patient with Multiple Sclerosis can expect to live to average population life-expectancy minus seven years (mean life expectancy - 7 years)

As more and more research is done, this list of multiple sclerosis facts will continue to grow. And hopefully, with new developments we'll be able to add one more.