Swedish Study Suggests Slower Than Expected Progression of Disability in People with Relapsing MS
March 19, 2019
Researchers looked back at the records of 7,331 people enrolled in the Swedish MS Registry. Looking at an interval between 1995 and 2016, on average, people with relapsing MS diagnosed more recently took significantly longer to worsen than those who had been diagnosed earlier (according to recorded scores on the EDSS scale, which measures disability). This finding did not apply to people first diagnosed with progressive MS. The study does not explore what specific factors may be responsible for this slowing of risk of progression. One possibility that the authors suggest is the increased use of
disease-modifying therapies and another is changes in
health behavior, but these would need to be looked at specifically in future studies.
Read more on MedPage Today
Read the study summary in JAMA Neurology
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
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