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http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-clinical-features-of-multiple-sclerosis-in-adults?source=search_result&search=multiple+sclerosis&select 1/11
Official reprint from UpToDate
www.uptodate.com 2014 UpToDate
Author
Michael J Olek, DO
Section Editor
Francisco Gonzalez-Scarano, MD
Deputy Editor
John F Dashe, MD, PhD
Di scl osures: Michael J Olek, DO Nothing to disclose. Francisco Gonzalez-Scarano, MD Employement: University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio; University of Pennsylvania. Equity Ownership/Stock
Options: Multiple, but traded by advisors without my input (Pharmaceutical). Other Financial Interests: NeuroLink (Venture Capital). John F Dashe, MD, PhD Employee of UpToDate, Inc.
Contributor disclosures are reviewed f or conf licts of interest by the editorial group. When f ound, these are addressed by vetting through a multi-level review process, and through requirements f or ref erences to be
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Epidemiology and clinical features of multiple sclerosis in adults
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
Literature review current through: Apr 2014. | This topic last updated: May 09, 2014.
INTRODUCTION Diseases that affect central nervous system myelin can be categorized as demyelinating (acquired, inflammatory) and dysmyelinating (abnormal formation of myelin,
usually genetic basis) (table 1). The most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS).
The epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features, and disease course of MS will be reviewed here. Comorbid problems associated with MS, and the diagnosis and treatment of MS are
discussed separately. (See "Comorbid problems associated with multiple sclerosis in adults" and "Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in adults" and "Treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis in adults" and "Treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis in adults".)
PATHOGENESIS Multiple sclerosis is a heterogeneous disorder with variable clinical and pathologic features reflecting different pathways to tissue injury [1]. Inflammation,
demyelination, and axon degeneration are the major pathologic mechanisms that cause the clinical manifestations [2]. However, the cause of MS remains unknown. The most widely
accepted theory is that MS begins as an inflammatory autoimmune disorder mediated by autoreactive lymphocytes [1,3]. Later, the disease is dominated by microglial activation and
chronic neurodegeneration [2]. Supporting evidence includes the following observations:
However, direct proof of an autoimmune cause of MS is lacking, as no specific autoantibody or autoreactive T-cell directed against a self-antigen in the nervous system can passively
transfer MS to experimental animals. EAE itself is an imperfect model of MS, as it does not exactly parallel the clinical or pathological features of MS [1,3,13]. In addition, EAE is
responsive to many drugs directed against T-cells (eg, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and monoclonal antibodies directed at CD4 cells). These same drugs have failed to demonstrate
consistent effectiveness as therapy for MS.
In addition to loss of myelin and oligodendrocytes, axonal injury is a prominent pathologic feature of the MS plaque [14-17]. Disease progression involves a degenerative phase of cerebral
atrophy and axonal loss that is not clearly related to immune mechanisms or inflammation.
Alternate theories of MS pathogenesis include the following [3,13]:
Neuropathologic evidence suggests that oligodendrocyte apoptosis, perhaps triggered by viral or glutamate excitotoxicity, may be the primary event preceding inflammation in at least
some newly forming lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting MS [18,19]. However, the importance of oligodendrocyte apoptosis in the pathogenesis of MS remains to be established
[17].
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS Multiple sclerosis affects more women than men. A systematic review of 28 epidemiologic studies found that, from 1955 to 2000, the estimated
female to male ratio of MS incidence increased from 1.4 to 2.3 [20]. A later systematic review and meta-analysis also found evidence suggesting that the incidence of MS is increasing in
females [21]. The reason for this is unknown [22]. A case-control study from Crete found that an increase in the incidence of MS in females since 1980 was concurrent with a population
shift from rural to urban areas, and speculated that environmental factors accompanying urbanization may trigger the development of MS [23].
The incidence and prevalence of MS varies geographically, as discussed below. (See 'Geographic factors' below.)
The median and mean ages of MS onset are 23.5 and 30 years of age, respectively. The peak age of onset is about five years earlier for women than for men. Relapsing-remitting MS tends
to have an earlier onset, averaging 25 to 29 years; this may convert to progressive MS at a mean age of 40 to 44 years. Primary-progressive MS has a mean age of onset of 35 to 39 years.
Onset of MS can rarely occur as late as the seventh decade.
In support of a possible autoimmune basis for MS, some [24,25] but not all [26] studies have observed that patients with MS are more likely than controls to have other autoimmune
disorders, such as autoimmune thyroid disease. In addition, patients with other autoimmune disorders are more likely to have MS. As an example, a large Danish study found that patients
with type 1 diabetes mellitus had an increased risk for developing MS compared with the general population [27]. Another large, well-designed cohort study found that patients with
inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk for demyelinating diseases, including MS [28].
Role of immune system stimuli Because the pathogenesis of MS is thought to involve the immune system, it has been hypothesized that a stimulus of the immune system (eg, a
vaccine) may trigger the disease. However, substantial evidence exists that there is no association between vaccines and MS.
Inflammation in conjunction with blood-brain-barrier disruption, characterized by gadolinium enhancement on MRI, is seen in the early stages of most demyelinating lesions in patients
with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS. (See "Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in adults", section on 'Magnetic resonance imaging'.)
Inflammatory T cells, B cells, and macrophages are typically seen on histopathologic examination of MS lesions at biopsy and autopsy [4]. At least four histopathologic subtypes of
MS demyelinating lesions have been described.
Increased oligoclonal IgM and IgG levels are found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS. (See "Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in adults".)
Approximately one-half of patients with MS have a specific serum IgG autoantibody directed against the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir4.1, which is expressed by
oligodendrocyte cell bodies and perivascular astrocyte processes in the central nervous system [5]. This finding suggests that Kir4.1 is a target of the immune response involved in
MS pathogenesis, at least in a subset of patients with the disease.
Myelin reactive T cells are found in MS plaques and in the CSF and peripheral circulation of patients with MS [6,7].
T helper 17-type immune activation, mediated in part by interleukin 23 expression, is associated with active MS lesions [8-10]
The risk of developing MS is associated with certain class I and class II alleles of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), loci that are involved in T-cell activation and regulation.
(See 'Genetic factors' below.)
Reduction in MS disease activity has been demonstrated with immunomodulatory drugs that reduce the Th1 immune response (ie, interferon beta), increase the Th2 and Th3
responses (ie, glatiramer acetate), or block T-cell movement from the blood into the central nervous system (ie, natalizumab). (See "Treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
in adults".)
An animal model of MS (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis or EAE) can be induced by myelin antigens [11], including myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP),
myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) [12].
A possible immune (but not autoimmune) etiology due to a chronic viral infection
A nonimmune noninflammatory etiology due to a genetically determined neuroglial degenerative process
Two well-designed studies seemingly refuted the possible link: one finding no association between hepatitis B vaccination and the development of MS [29], and the other finding no
association between several different vaccines and disease relapse in patients with MS [30].
In a meta-analysis of 14 case-control and cohort studies, the risk of MS was increased after infectious mononucleosis (relative risk 2.3, 95% CI 1.7-3.0) [41].
A prospective nested case-control study of women found significant elevations in anti-EBV antibody titers before the onset of MS, particularly antibody to the EBV nuclear antigen 2
(EBNA-2) [42]. Another nested case-control study found that higher antibody titers to EBNA complex and EBV viral capsid antigen were associated with an increased risk of MS [43].
There is conflicting evidence concerning whether EBV infection is present in brain tissue of patients with MS [44-47].
An analysis of data from the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II observed that the risk of developing MS was significantly reduced for women taking 400 international
units/day of vitamin D (relative risk 0.59, 95% CI 0.38-0.91) [69].
A longitudinal cohort study of 469 subjects with MS found that vitamin D levels were inversely associated with the risk of new T2-weighted or gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted
lesions on brain MRI [70].
A prospective report of over 450 patients with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of MS showed that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, measured in the first 12 months, were
inversely associated over the subsequent four years with the risks of conversion to clinically definite MS, the presence of new active MS brain lesions on MRI, and MS progression
[71].
Global inflammation of the brain and meninges was characteristic of SPMS and PPMS.
Cortical demyelination mainly affecting the subpial layers of the cerebral cortex was a characteristic feature of PPMS and SPMS, but it was rare or absent in acute MS and RRMS.
Diffuse injury in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) was prominent in SPMS and PPMS, but it was rare or absent in acute MS and RRMS.
The median time from disease onset to EDSS 6 (cane needed for walking) was 27.9 years; the median age from birth to EDSS 6 was 59 years
A primary progressive course was associated with more rapid disease progression than a relapsing course, and was a risk factor in multivariate analysis for time to use of a cane
(EDSS 6) from both MS onset (hazard ratio [HR] 2.90, 95% CI 2.39-3.52) and from birth (HR 2.68, 95% CI 2.20-3.26)
Although men progressed more quickly than women from onset, both men and women required a cane at similar ages (58.8 and 60.1 years), and male sex was not associated with a
31/5/2014 Epidemiology and clinical features of multiple sclerosis in adults
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-clinical-features-of-multiple-sclerosis-in-adults?source=search_result&search=multiple+sclerosis&select 6/11
Some earlier studies suggested that MS progressed more rapidly. As an example, a 25-year follow-up study of 308 patients with MS found that 50 percent of the patients reached EDSS 6
within 16 years of onset [154].
Mortality Mortality due to MS is difficult to determine because of poor data collection and reporting. A review of large MS cohort registries assessing mortality found that, compared with
the general healthy population, life expectancy in patients with MS was reduced by 7 to 14 years [155]. One-half or more of the deaths among patients with MS were directly related to
complications of MS.
Benign MS Benign MS refers to disease in which the patient remains fully functional in all neurologic systems 15 years after the disease onset, and is usually a retrospective
diagnosis. Approximately 15 percent of patients will never experience a second relapse, although the exact frequency of this benign form of disease is unknown since many of these
individuals never come to medical attention. Among patients in a population-based cohort study who had MS for 10 or more years, about 17 percent had minimal or no disability [149].
Autopsy studies have found a significant number of cases with CNS pathology consistent with MS but no documented clinical evidence of disease. MRI studies of asymptomatic relatives
of MS patients have discovered lesions consistent with demyelination in up to 15 percent of these relatives [156]. The use of MRI may expand the spectrum of MS by detecting milder
cases that previously were not included in prognosis studies. Prospective MRI studies are needed to determine if there are reliable imaging features that can distinguish benign MS from
RRMS and progressive types of MS [157].
In our experience and that of most others, patients who have had a known benign course for 15 years will only rarely develop a more severe course [149,154]. However, evidence is
conflicting, and some have found that patients with benign MS for 10 years still have a substantial risk of disease progression and increased disability [158]. The range of evidence is
illustrated by the following reports:
Malignant MS Malignant MS refers to disease with a rapid progressive course, leading to significant disability in multiple neurologic systems or death in a relatively short time after
disease onset. In a single center study of 487 patients with MS that defined malignant MS by the need for assistance with ambulation (ie, an EDSS score 6) within five years from
symptom onset, the number of patients with a malignant course was 59 (12 percent) [159]. Malignant status was transient for 17 (3.5 percent) and sustained for 42 (8.6 percent).
Predictors for malignant MS were older age at onset, motor symptoms at onset, and progressive disease onset.
PROGNOSTIC FACTORS A variety of factors have been identified as possible prognostic indicators in MS that may modify the disease course or predict exacerbations.
Demographic and racial factors As already noted (see 'Geographic factors' above), white populations, especially those originally from Northern Europe, appear to have the highest
risk for developing MS, while people of Asian, African, or American Indian origin have the lowest risk.
Racial differences may also exist for the clinical features and prognosis of MS, although this is less well established than for differences in the risk of developing MS. A retrospective study
found that black Americans who develop MS have a later age of disease onset than white Americans (age 33.7 versus 31.1 years, respectively) and are more likely to develop ambulatory
disability than white Americans with MS [160]. Since the median time to both MS diagnosis and MS onset to treatment was significantly shorter for blacks compared with the whites in this
study population, it is likely that the increased risk of disability for blacks is independent of health care access.
The same study noted that black Americans with MS were more likely to present with multifocal signs and symptoms, were more likely to have clinical involvement restricted to the optic
nerves and spinal cord (opticospinal MS), and were more likely to develop transverse myelitis compared with white Americans with MS [160]. It should be noted that while 63 black
Americans in the study had opticospinal MS (defined as relapses or clinical signs restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord), only three met the criteria for neuromyelitis optica (NMO or
Devic syndrome) [161]. (See "Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in adults", section on 'Neuromyelitis optica and optic-spinal MS'.)
Earlier data suggested that MS followed a more benign course in women than men and that onset at an early age has a favorable prognosis compared with onset at older ages [144].
These notions have been challenged by subsequent data showing that sex and age of onset are not independent prognostic factors [150]. (See 'Rate of disability progression' above.)
Relapsing versus progressive phase of disease The relapsing form of MS is generally associated with a better prognosis than progressive disease [144,150]. An observational
natural history study found that irreversible disability occurred sooner in patients in whom the disease was progressive from the onset than in those in whom the onset was relapsing-
remitting [148]. Once irreversible disability occurred, however, the time course of progressive disability was similar in the two groups.
Although not firmly established by the existing evidence, there are data suggesting that most patients with relapsing MS will eventually enter a progressive phase of disease [144,162]
where neurologic disability gradually worsens regardless of the presence or absence of superimposed attacks. The development of a progressive course may be the single most adverse
factor influencing prognosis [154,162-168]. One study found that the progressive phase of MS appeared to be independent of relapses that occurred before or after the onset of relapse-free
progression [162]. In addition, disability in MS may be more dependent on patient age than on the initial course, whether relapsing or progressive from onset [153,169].
Early disease Certain types of MS symptoms at disease onset were once thought to predict a favorable (sensory symptoms, optic neuritis) or unfavorable (pyramidal, brainstem, and
cerebellar symptoms) prognosis [144]. However, subsequent data suggested that none of these onset symptoms were independent prognostic factors [150,170].
In a systematic review of 27 eligible studies published by May 2005 that evaluated patients with RRMS, bowel and/or bladder symptoms at onset were the only symptoms that had strong
and consistent associations with poor prognosis. Additional factors that predicted long-term disability in those with RRMS were incomplete recovery from the first attack, a short interval
between the first and second attack, and early accumulation of disability [170].
An observational study found that early clinical variables predicted time to disability defined as an EDSS of 4 (ie, limited walking but without aid) but not the subsequent progression of
disease [171].
A long-term observational study of patients with progressive types of MS found that polysymptomatic compared with monosymptomatic onset of MS was associated with a significantly
shorter time to the development of progressive disease [162]. (See 'Rate of disability progression' above.)
Lesion load A serial MRI study in 71 patients followed for a mean of 14 years found that lesion volume at five years and the change in volume during the first five years of illness
correlated more strongly with disability scores at 14 years than measures of volume at earlier or later times, suggesting that the development of lesions in the early years may have an
important influence on long-term disability [172].
However, there is only weak correlation between MRI lesion load and age at disease onset, disease duration, and progression, as shown in an analysis of 1312 placebo subjects with MS
in pooled data from 11 randomized controlled trials [173]. The correlation appears to plateau at higher levels of disability, suggesting that MRI lesion burden is a poor measure of disease
progression in patients with advanced disease.
Furthermore, the extent of cranial MRI abnormalities in individual patients does not necessarily correlate with the degree of clinical disability. Patients with small numbers of lesions may be
quite disabled, while others can function well despite a large burden of disease detected by MRI. There are several possible explanations for this observation: lesions may occur in areas
that are clinically silent; small lesions in the spinal cord can cause major disability in the absence of cerebral lesions; MRI may miss or underestimate lesions that are clinically relevant
worse outcome after controlling for other factors
The type of onset symptoms (eg, motor, sensory, optic neuritis, cerebellar, ataxia, or brainstem) did not predict disease progression after controlling for other factors
A younger age at onset was associated with slower progression, but patients older at onset were consistently older when they progressed to EDSS 6 than patients younger at onset
(figure 1). Similar results were found in a large epidemiology study from France [153].
In one long-term cohort, only 8 percent of patients with mild disease (EDSS score 0 to 3) five years after diagnosis progressed to severe disease (EDSS score 6) by 10 years, and
only 12 percent by 15 years [154].
Similar results were noted in a second cohort, 17 percent of whom had minimal or no disability (EDSS score of 2 or lower) at study onset despite a 10-year or longer history of MS
[149]. The longer the duration of MS and the lower the disability, the more likely the patient was to remain stable and not progress.
In contrast, a cohort study of 169 patients with EDSS scores 3 at 10 years from MS onset found progression to EDSS scores of 6 at 20 years after onset in 21 percent [158]. The
EDSS score at 10 years was the only independent predictor of score at 20 years.
th th
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Basics topics (see "Patient information: Multiple sclerosis in adults (The Basics)")
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disorder with variable clinical and pathologic features reflecting different pathways to tissue injury. Inflammation, demyelination, and axon
degeneration are the major pathologic mechanisms that cause the clinical manifestations. However, the cause of MS remains unknown. The most widely accepted theory is that MS
begins as an inflammatory autoimmune disorder mediated by autoreactive lymphocytes. Later, the disease is dominated by microglial activation and chronic neurodegeneration. (See
'Pathogenesis' above.)
Multiple sclerosis affects more women than men. The median and mean ages of MS onset are 23.5 and 30 years of age, respectively. The peak age of onset is about five years earlier
for women than for men. Onset of MS can rarely occur as late as the seventh decade. (See 'Epidemiology and risk factors' above.)
The incidence and prevalence of MS varies geographically. (See 'Geographic factors' above.)
There is no association between vaccines and MS. Although many viruses, and particularly the Epstein Barr virus, have been associated with MS, there is no specific evidence
linking viruses directly to the development of MS. (See 'Role of immune system stimuli' above.)
Genetic factors appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of MS, particularly variation involving the HLA-DRB1 locus. (See 'Genetic factors' above.)
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency has been reported in some patients with MS but its relationship to MS is controversial (See 'Chronic cerebrospinal venous
insufficiency' above.)
There are no clinical findings that are unique to MS, but some are highly characteristic of the disease (table 2). Common symptoms of MS (table 3) include sensory symptoms in
limbs or face, visual loss, acute or subacute motor weakness, diplopia, gait disturbance and balance problems, Lhermitte sign (electric shock-like sensations that run down the back
and/or limbs upon flexion of the neck), vertigo, bladder problems, limb ataxia, acute transverse myelopathy, and pain. The onset is often polysymptomatic. The typical patient
presents as a young adult with two or more clinically distinct episodes of CNS dysfunction with at least partial resolution. (See 'Clinical symptoms and signs' above.)
Multiple sclerosis is most commonly characterized by relapse, which is defined as the acute or subacute onset of clinical dysfunction that usually reaches its peak from days to
several weeks, followed by a remission during which the symptoms and signs resolve to a variable extent. The common patterns of MS are categorized as follows (See 'Relapses'
above and 'Disease pattern' above.):
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is characterized by clearly defined relapses with full recovery or with sequelae and residual deficit upon recovery. There is no
disease progression during the periods between disease relapses. This type of MS accounts for approximately 85 to 90 percent of MS cases at onset. However, most patients
with RRMS will eventually enter a secondary progressive phase.
Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is characterized by an initial RRMS disease course followed by progression with or without occasional relapses, minor
remissions, and plateaus. Some studies suggest that SPMS ultimately develops in most patients with RRMS and causes the greatest amount of neurological disability.
Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is characterized by disease progression from onset with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements allowed. This
type represents about 10 percent of cases at disease onset. In PPMS, patients experience a steady decline in function from the beginning and never have acute attacks.
Progressive relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS) is characterized by progressive disease from onset, with clear acute relapses, with or without full recovery. Progression
continues during the periods between disease relapses.
Progression of disability due to MS is highly variable, but accumulating evidence suggests that progression in most patients with MS is slow. At the extreme ends of the severity
spectrum, there are benign and malignant forms of MS. Benign MS refers to disease in which the patient remains fully functional in all neurologic systems 15 years after the disease
onset. Malignant MS refers to disease with a rapid progressive course, leading to significant disability in multiple neurologic systems or death in a relatively short time after disease
onset. (See 'Disease severity' above.)
A variety of factors have been identified as possible prognostic indicators in MS that may modify the disease course or predict exacerbations. White populations, especially those
originally from Northern Europe, appear to have the highest risk for developing MS, while people of Asian, African, or American Indian origin have the lowest risk. The relapsing form of
MS is generally associated with a better prognosis than progressive disease. (See 'Prognostic factors' above.)