Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis

Bri Jones, Sydney Kanuch, Makenzie Griffin, Aaliyah Speights

Multiple Sclerosis - Overview

❏ MS is a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.

❏ Symptoms include
❏ Fatigue
❏ Numbness and tingling
❏ Muscle spasms
❏ Mobility problems
❏ Pain: neuropathic and musculoskeletal
❏ Speech and swallowing difficulty
Risk Factors
Large risk factors include →

❏ Smoking
❏ Increases the risk of antibodies formed against treatments plans
❏ Sun exposure
❏ Only UV rays, not vitamin D
❏ Obesity as an adolescent
❏ Mostly females
❏ Shift work
❏ Working odd hours (night shifts, multiple long shifts in a row)
❏ Climate
❏ More common in temperate climates
❏ Ethnic Groups
❏ African American, Asian, Hispanic
❏ Mostly in European descent
Overall Prevalence

❏ 2.3 million people affected by MS worldwide (2013)

❏ About 1 million of those reside in the US
❏ From 2013 to 2022 there has been a reported prevalence that MS has increased
from 2.3 million to 2.8 million
❏ Significant increase in the last few years
❏ Onset of MS usually occurs around 40 yrs
❏ Most commonly seen in the age range of 50-65 yrs
❏ According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, almost 4x as many women
have MS compared to men (Hopkins Medicine)
❏ More women are developing it
2019
Assessments and Measurements via Research
❏ Most research on risk factors and prevalence is done by analyzing a multitude of studies to get the
most and best accurate data

❏ Other primary sources gained information by using surveys or studying those who have the
symptoms or diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
 How is this being corrected?
● Has no known treatment option that is a cure
● The main goals of treatment:
○ manage symptoms
○ limit the disease's development
○ hasten recovery after attacks.
■ Some people only exhibit minor symptoms so no treatment is necessary
● Treatment for attacks
○ Corticosteroids: reduce nerve inflammation.
■ Side effects may include insomnia, increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose levels,
mood swings and fluid retention.
○ Plasma exchange
■ the liquid portion of part of your blood is removed and separated from your blood cells.
■ The blood cells are mixed with a protein solution and put back into your body
 Works Cited

● https://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/facts-statistics-infographic
● https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6444694/
● https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/87/1/100
● https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/multiple-sclerosis-statistics/
● https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-scleros
is-ms/multiple-sclerosis-why-are-women-more-at-risk#:~:text=According%20to%20t
he%20National%20Multiple,more%20women%20are%20developing%20it.
● https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/diagnosis-treat
ment/drc-20350274