Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is usually thought of as a single disease, but its course and symptoms vary from person to person.

Multiple sclerosis is a leading cause of non-traumatic disability for young people.¹,²
MS is twice as likely in women than men2
MS is commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 403

people in the world have MS

  • Approximately 1 in 710 people in North America have MS2

  • Approximately 1 in 925 people in Europe have MS2

  • MS prevalence is highest in countries furthest from the equator4

  • Approximately 1 in 1050 people in Australia have MS2

People with MS can experience many types of symptoms.5

Up to 90% of people with MS experience fatigue6

Within 15 years of onset, more than 50% of people with MS have difficulty walking5,7,8

Vision difficulties are common, and a first symptom in 15-20% of people with MS9

At least 80% of people with MS experience bladder issues10

Depression is approximately 2x more likely in people with MS11

Sleep problems are twice as likely in people with MS12

MS is categorised into courses based on how the disease generally behaves and whether or not there is disease activity and a steady increase in disability over time.

For explanation of disease courses, please visit the13

Relapsing-remitting MS

Secondary progressive MS

Primary progressive MS

No matter what course of MS a person has, relapsing or progressive forms of MS may be active or inactive at different points in time.14 Disease activity may be outwardly apparent with new or worsening signs or symptoms. There can also be underlying disease activity that is detected with special equipment like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

There is no cure for MS, but research continues to better understand and treat the disease.5

References

  1. Murray TJ. (2006). Diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. BMJ, 322 (7540):525-527.

  2. Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. (2013). Atlas of MS 2013. Available at:

  3. MS International Federation. What is MS? Available at

  4. 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.

  5. National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2015). Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research. Available at:

  6. 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.

  8. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2010). Gait or Walking Problems. Available at:

  9. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Visual Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis. Available at:

  10. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bladder Problems. Available at:

  11. Siegert RJ, Abernethy DA. (2005). Depression in multiple sclerosis: a review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 76:469–475.

  12. 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.

  13. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Types of MS. Available at

  14. Lublin F.D. et al. (2014). Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 83(3),278-86.

  15. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Managing Relapses. Available at:

  16. Erbayat A, et al. (2013). Reliability of classifying multiple sclerosis disease activity using magnetic resonance imaging in a multiple sclerosis clinic. JAMA Neurol, 70(3):338-44.

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